10 Birds That Can Actually Sleep While Flying

 Here are ten bird species known to be capable of sleeping while flying:

1. Frigatebirds: These seabirds can fly for weeks without landing. They take short naps while gliding, with one hemisphere of their brain resting while the other remains active.

   

2. Albatrosses: Known for their long migratory journeys over the ocean, albatrosses can sleep in flight by engaging in unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS), allowing them to rest while staying alert.

   

3. Swifts: Common swifts can stay airborne for months, even while sleeping. They take brief naps during flight, crucial for their long migrations.

   

4. Common Nighthawks: These birds are adapted to nocturnal flying and are thought to take quick naps while on the wing during their night journeys.

   

5. Northern Wheatears: Migratory wheatears can sleep while flying during their non-stop, long-distance flights across continents.

   

6. Great Frigatebirds: Similar to other frigatebirds, they can stay aloft for extended periods and have adapted to sleep in short bursts while gliding.

   

7. Sand Martins (Bank Swallows): These small migratory birds are believed to engage in short sleep episodes during flight to sustain their long-distance travel.

   

8. Red Knots: Red knots migrate over vast distances and are suspected to take power naps while in flight to conserve energy.

   

9. White-throated Needletails: Known for their high-speed flying, these swifts can take brief naps while airborne, especially during their long migratory journeys.

   

10. Arctic Terns: Famous for their epic migrations, Arctic terns may engage in short periods of rest while flying, enabling them to travel between polar regions.

These adaptations allow these birds to endure long migrations and remain alert to their surroundings while still getting some rest.