Uploaded August 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
From birds that can fly over 71,000 km in one year to whales that like to migrate around the world, here are 10 animals with the longest migration.
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#10. SALMON
Salmons have a unique migration story. Their navigation is incredible and somewhat magical. A salmon's brain detects the exact magnetic field of its birthplace. Thus, they can see and return to the precise place of birth.
# 9. MONARCH BUTTERFLY
The family of insects does not migrate very prominent distances. They usually do not have a long lifespan to make trips worldwide. Monarch Butterflies can make a 4800-kilometers trip to complete a migration during the winter. Since they cannot stand the cold conditions up north, they fly to California and Mexico areas.
# 8. CARIBOU
Caribou migrate for food in large numbers. You could find a herd of Caribou numbering over 50,000. The numbers help them defeat other smaller groups of predators on the way. Sometimes, they can cover over 70 kilometers in a single day on their journey. In total, they migrate over 5,000 kilometers each year.
# 7. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
These Canadian residents travel to Southern parts of the United States once a year. They avoid harsh weather conditions. Sometimes, they migrate in groups of over 1000. The sight of the tiny birds making their grand entry into the South of the US is one for sore eyes.
# 6. DRAGON
Dragonflies cover over 17000 kilometers during a single migration. One might wonder how their thin wings carry them that far. We wonder, too, because the Dragonfly is easily the most underestimated animal if you consider migration and flying across continents. Note that not all the dragonfly population of the world migrates.
# 5. LEATHERBACK TURTLE
They are slow on land but are they slow swimmers? Slow enough that they cover over 20,000 kilometers of ocean stretch in search of food and breeding purposes? They travel from the end of the Pacific Ocean to the coasts of California to find jellyfishes.
# 4. NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL
Their migration usually happens across 21000 kilometers under ocean water depth, close to the ocean floor. They are not likely to be spotted at the ocean's top unless there is a significant reason.
# 3. HUMPBACK WHALE
The Humpback Whales, in particular, are notorious for traveling a total of 22000 kilometers each year. They also migrate in parts and groups. When the time for migration comes, the females and younger whales move first. The journey starts around summer when they are near the Polar Regions. They tend to move to the Equator to feed on smaller fishes during the winter.
# 2. SOOTY SHEARWATER
The Sooty Shearwater is the second on our list of migratory animals globally. The trip is not that eventful. Each day they wake up and cover over 1000 kilometers. Unless there is secret fun in flying nonstop all day in search of food, we do not envisage this will be exciting. At the end of the year-round trip, they would have covered 65000 kilometers.
# 1. ARCTIC TERN
We are tempted to say that flying is easier, but it might not always be accurate. Otherwise, the list would be filled with birds. Nonetheless, this bird, the Arctic tern, which only weighs 113 grams, makes the longest migration in the animal kingdom. The bird trips from Arctic Circle to the Antarctic region and then flies back home before the year ends. The round trip covers over 71,000 kilometers of geographical distance. Aside from the distance covered, they are also the animal that experiences the most daylight in the world. They move over to the other side in September and then experience a double summer by the time they return. Their migration touches parts of Africa and Europe as they fly in an S pattern to and from their destination. We might say it is an extreme travel cycle, but it is worth the trip if you do it on your wings.
Which of these animals shocked you with their migration record of accomplishment. We know the Dragonfly surprises us. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
From birds that can fly over 71,000 km in one year to whales that like to migrate around the world, here are 10 animals with the longest migration.
SUBSCRIBE for the latest videos: goo.gl/7xzjzR
#10. SALMON
Salmons have a unique migration story. Their navigation is incredible and somewhat magical. A salmon's brain detects the exact magnetic field of its birthplace. Thus, they can see and return to the precise place of birth.
# 9. MONARCH BUTTERFLY
The family of insects does not migrate very prominent distances. They usually do not have a long lifespan to make trips worldwide. Monarch Butterflies can make a 4800-kilometers trip to complete a migration during the winter. Since they cannot stand the cold conditions up north, they fly to California and Mexico areas.
# 8. CARIBOU
Caribou migrate for food in large numbers. You could find a herd of Caribou numbering over 50,000. The numbers help them defeat other smaller groups of predators on the way. Sometimes, they can cover over 70 kilometers in a single day on their journey. In total, they migrate over 5,000 kilometers each year.
# 7. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER
These Canadian residents travel to Southern parts of the United States once a year. They avoid harsh weather conditions. Sometimes, they migrate in groups of over 1000. The sight of the tiny birds making their grand entry into the South of the US is one for sore eyes.
# 6. DRAGON
Dragonflies cover over 17000 kilometers during a single migration. One might wonder how their thin wings carry them that far. We wonder, too, because the Dragonfly is easily the most underestimated animal if you consider migration and flying across continents. Note that not all the dragonfly population of the world migrates.
# 5. LEATHERBACK TURTLE
They are slow on land but are they slow swimmers? Slow enough that they cover over 20,000 kilometers of ocean stretch in search of food and breeding purposes? They travel from the end of the Pacific Ocean to the coasts of California to find jellyfishes.
# 4. NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL
Their migration usually happens across 21000 kilometers under ocean water depth, close to the ocean floor. They are not likely to be spotted at the ocean's top unless there is a significant reason.
# 3. HUMPBACK WHALE
The Humpback Whales, in particular, are notorious for traveling a total of 22000 kilometers each year. They also migrate in parts and groups. When the time for migration comes, the females and younger whales move first. The journey starts around summer when they are near the Polar Regions. They tend to move to the Equator to feed on smaller fishes during the winter.
# 2. SOOTY SHEARWATER
The Sooty Shearwater is the second on our list of migratory animals globally. The trip is not that eventful. Each day they wake up and cover over 1000 kilometers. Unless there is secret fun in flying nonstop all day in search of food, we do not envisage this will be exciting. At the end of the year-round trip, they would have covered 65000 kilometers.
# 1. ARCTIC TERN
We are tempted to say that flying is easier, but it might not always be accurate. Otherwise, the list would be filled with birds. Nonetheless, this bird, the Arctic tern, which only weighs 113 grams, makes the longest migration in the animal kingdom. The bird trips from Arctic Circle to the Antarctic region and then flies back home before the year ends. The round trip covers over 71,000 kilometers of geographical distance. Aside from the distance covered, they are also the animal that experiences the most daylight in the world. They move over to the other side in September and then experience a double summer by the time they return. Their migration touches parts of Africa and Europe as they fly in an S pattern to and from their destination. We might say it is an extreme travel cycle, but it is worth the trip if you do it on your wings.
Which of these animals shocked you with their migration record of accomplishment. We know the Dragonfly surprises us. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
