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There is a small population of birds, the Bar-Tailed Godwit that live in Alaska during the summer. Recently, scientists have documented a female bird flying a record 7,242 miles non-stop from western Alaska across the Pacific Ocean to New Zealand for the winter. Along the flight there was no stopping to eat, drink or rest.

This small bird shares a unique trait with humpback whales - this ultra level of energy is created by burning the stores of fat gained after feeding in Alaska. In addition, both of these animals can sleep with half of their brain while allowing the other half to carry on functions necessary to keep on track with their migrations.

The Bar-tailed Godwit’s nine day 7,400 migration from Alaska to New Zealand is the longest non-stop migration ever recorded according to biologists who tracked the flight using satellite tags. The birds use the position of the sun and the stars to navigate the long journey.