Scientists document plumed egrets' record 2,400 km migration

In Australia, researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation conducted a study focusing on the migration patterns of plumed egrets and great egrets. Over several months, they used GPS technology to follow a group of 18 egrets, which included eight plumed egrets and ten great egrets, as these birds left their breeding grounds in the Macquarie Marshes of New South Wales. The study aimed to understand where these migratory birds travel, the duration of their flights, and their ultimate destinations during the northward migration. During the study, the researchers found that great egrets displayed varied flight paths, dispersing in all directions, while the plumed egrets consistently migrated north. One particular plumed egret stood out for its remarkable journey; it was tracked flying almost 2,400 kilometres, or 1,490 miles, before settling near Kalo, close to the capital of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby. This specific bird undertook an impressive non-stop flight of over 700 kilometres across the Coral Sea, taking approximately 38 hours to complete its journey. This migration event marks a significant finding in the study of plumed egrets as it is the first time researchers have recorded such extensive migratory behavior in this species. Past studies have documented various migratory patterns among other species, but the plumed egrets' non-stop flight demonstrates both the endurance of these birds and the challenges they face during their long-distance travels. Additionally, their ability to traverse such distances adds to the ongoing research about climate impact and habitat variance in migratory patterns. The findings published in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology highlight the urgency to study migratory birds like the plumed egret, especially as their migration routes may be threatened by environmental changes and habitat destruction. Further investigations into their feeding habits, stopover sites, and the environmental pressures they encounter along their migration route can shed light on the wider implications for conservation efforts and the health of ecosystems in both Australia and Papua New Guinea.