On: With ships, birds find an easier way to travel

[drewmol]

For those wondering, some of these birds can fly over 5 miles high. From 5 miles above sea level, the distance to horizon is 200 miles. From 5 miles high, you could see the tip of mount Everest above the horizon from 410 miles. Great snipes can fly thousands of miles in one continuous 60-90 hour flight.

https://www.inverse.com/science/migratory-birds-flying-ocean

https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/earth-curvature

[dietr1ch → drewmol]

and what's a mile again?

From your article, (which uses metric),

> One of the great snipes stayed above 8,000 meters (4.97 miles) for more than five hours one day, rising to a maximum altitude of around 8,700 meters (5.41 miles). This is the highest altitude ever recorded for an identified migratory bird.

At 8km high it's easier to believe that they'd see ~660km away (410mi), although I don't know if weather, pollution or some distortions get in the way.

[drewmol → dietr1ch]

I’d assume they do (get in the way) but I don’t have confirmation. A mile is 5 thousand 200 and eighty feet.

When I visualize the bird’s experience, I would hesitate to cross the Atlantic.

[dayjaby → dietr1ch]

I appreciate the translation.