How far do animals migrate?
The longest animal migration is 70 000 km a year, flown by a bird that weighs about 110 grams.
1.2 × a humpback whale
10,000 km is further than 5 of the 8 references on this page.
Reference figures are measurements and are rounded; the unit conversion behind them is exact.
| Reference | Size | Yours ÷ theirs | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| European robin | 1,000 km | 10× | |
| wildebeest, annual circuit | 1,800 km | 5.56× | |
| monarch butterfly | 4,800 km | 2.08× | |
| caribou | 4,800 km | 2.08× | |
| humpback whale | 8,300 km | 1.2× | |
| bar-tailed godwit, non-stop | 13,560 km | 0.737× | Alaska to Tasmania without landing |
| sooty shearwater | 64,000 km | 0.156× | |
| Arctic tern | 70,900 km | 0.141× | The longest migration known |
Worth knowing
- An Arctic tern flies about 70 900 km a year and can live 30 years, covering roughly three round trips to the Moon in a lifetime.
- A bar-tailed godwit flew 13 560 km from Alaska to Tasmania in 2022 without landing, eating or drinking — eleven days of continuous flight.
Frequently asked
Which animal migrates furthest?
The Arctic tern, at about 70 900 km a year on a zigzag route between the Arctic and Antarctic that follows prevailing winds.
How do migrating birds navigate?
By several redundant systems: the sun, star patterns, the Earth’s magnetic field sensed through the eye, and learned landmarks. Removing any one leaves them mostly capable.