Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Most commercial airplanes cruise at 30,000 to 40,000 feet—far too high for most birds, which is why ...
[+] bird strikes usually happen near airports. But one critically endangered vulture defied the odds. getty Vultures, though they may not win any beauty contests, are incredibly imposing creatures that play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
With hooked beaks designed for tearing flesh, broad wings built for soaring and keen eyesight capable of spotting a meal from miles away, these birds are perfectly adapted to their role as nature’s cleanup crew. Among the 23 known vulture species worldwide, the one that stands out for its extraordinary flying abilities is the Rüppell’s vulture. Native to the Sahel region of Africa, this magnificent bird of prey holds the record for the highest altitude ever recorded—37,000 feet above sea level.
As the record-holding individual tragically discovered, though, this altitude is so extreme that it falls well within the cruising range of commercial jets. Let’s Put This Altitude Into Context Most birds fly at altitudes of 500 to 2,000 feet above sea level. Even migratory birds, which sometimes fly higher to avoid obstacles or catch favorable winds, usually stay within a range of 5,000 to 10,000 feet.
Only a few species, such as certain geese during migration, can reach altitudes of 20,000 to 25,000 feet—still significantly lower than the height achieved by the Rü.