Highest-flying bird

What to remember

In 1973 an aircraft struck a Rüppell's vulture at 11,300 metres (37,000 feet). That bird strike is the confirmed evidence that makes it the highest-flying bird. At that height the average temperature is about −56 °C.

Why climb so far? This large bird of prey, found mainly in the Sahel and East Africa, relies on its excellent eyesight. Instead of covering long distances, it gains height and holds a fairly static position in the sky, widening its field of vision so it can scan the landscape far below.

The gap with ordinary flight is wide. During migration, birds fly on average 400 to 800 metres above the ground. The species is named after the German explorer and zoologist Eduard Rüppell.