A small GPS tracking device installed on a European honey hawk has revealed an extraordinary endurance that only a few humans can match. Over the course of 42 days, this bird traveled more than 10,000 kilometers from its wintering grounds in South Africa to its breeding habitat in Finland, crossing deserts, mountain ranges and several countries along the way.
The journey, documented by researchers led by Finnish ornithologist Dr. Patrik Byholm as part of the Honey Buzzard Project, provided an unprecedented glimpse into one of the world’s most remarkable migrations. The data showed not only where the bird traveled, but also how it timed its flights, chose energy-efficient routes, and adapted to changing landscapes and weather conditions.
How did scientists track the journey of the European honey hawk, which traveled a distance of 10,000 kilometers?
Researchers fitted the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) with a lightweight GPS satellite transmitter before it began its spring migration from southern Africa.
Unlike traditional bird ringing, which relies on the occasional retrieval of tagged birds, the transmitter constantly transmits precise location data, allowing scientists to monitor birds’ movements in near real-time.Tracking revealed that the falcon traveled more than 10,000 kilometers in just 42 days, averaging about 230 kilometers per day. GPS data recorded its altitude, flight speed, stopover locations and travel patterns, enabling researchers to study how the bird responded to changing weather conditions throughout its migration.
Each new transmission added another piece to the puzzle of one of Europe’s least understood migratory birds.
The bird’s 10,000-kilometre journey was guided by the invisible highways provided by nature
The European honey buzzard did not just take the shortest route between South Africa and Finland. Instead, it followed an energy-efficient route through East Africa, the Nile Valley, the Middle East, and Europe, carefully avoiding long distances of open water whenever possible. While this added distance to flight, it also significantly reduced the amount of energy needed to stay in the air.The reason lies in the bird’s flight technique. Honey hawks are temperature-dependent soaring birds of prey, rising columns of warm air created when the sun heats the Earth. These invisible air currents allow the bird to spiral upward before gliding long distances without constantly flapping its wings. High temperatures are common on land but rare on large bodies of water, making sea crossings much more difficult.
By connecting these natural “highways” in the sky and taking advantage of favorable winds, the hawk completed its epic migration with remarkable efficiency.
One of nature’s most efficient long distance travelers
The European Honey Buzzard makes this remarkable migration every year, breeding across much of Europe before spending the northern winter in tropical Africa. During its annual journey, it crosses an extraordinary variety of landscapes, including African savannahs, deserts, Mediterranean coasts, mountain ranges and dense European forests.Despite traveling thousands of kilometres, this species is able to return to the same breeding areas with amazing precision year after year. Scientists believe this extraordinary navigational ability depends on several natural cues, including the Earth’s magnetic field, the position of the sun, visual landmarks, favorable wind systems, and an inherited instinct that is honed through experience.Unlike most birds of prey, the European honey buzzard has a highly specialized diet. It feeds mainly on wasp and bee larvae, and uses its slender head, thick facial feathers and strong claws to dig into underground nests while protecting itself from stings.
What researchers learned from GPS data
Far from documenting an extraordinary journey, the GPS transmitter has revealed how migratory birds make complex decisions along their journeys.
Researchers have identified important stopover sites where the hawk rests and replenishes energy before continuing north. These sites are often as essential to survival as the breeding and wintering areas themselves.The tracking also showed how closely linked migration is to the weather. Instead of flying continuously, the bird adjusted its schedule according to wind direction, temperature, and heat strength.
Strong tailwinds allowed her to travel much greater distances in a single day, while bad weather often forced her to pause until conditions improved. These findings explain why migratory birds often choose longer, safer, and more energy-efficient routes rather than following the shorter route.
GPS tracking is transforming bird research
Modern GPS and satellite telemetry have revolutionized the study of bird migration by allowing scientists to follow birds across entire continents with unprecedented precision.
Researchers can now identify important feeding and resting sites, estimate survival rates, understand how the timing of migration changes from year to year, and observe how climate change is reshaping traditional migration routes.These insights are becoming increasingly valuable as habitat destruction, expanding infrastructure, and changing weather patterns threaten migratory birds around the world. By identifying which landscapes birds depend on most, scientists and conservationists can better protect international migration corridors that stretch across dozens of countries.
