These birds are known for their impressive non-stop flight during migration. They can sleep while gliding in the air.
Alpine Swifts
Similar to alpine swifts, common swifts are also capable of sleeping while flying. They spend most of their lives in the air, even mating and feeding on the wing.
Common Swifts
Frigatebirds are skilled aerialists that can stay aloft for days. They are known to sleep while flying, taking short naps in the sky.
Frigatebirds
Swallow-tailed Gulls
These unique gulls are known for their nocturnal foraging habits. They can sleep while flying over the ocean, making use of the unihemispheric slow-wave sleep.
White-throated Needletails
These birds are known for their high-speed flight and endurance. They are capable of sleeping while flying long distances.
Sand Martins
Sand martins are small birds that often migrate long distances. They can sleep while flying, alternating between the two hemispheres of their brain.
Homing Pigeons
Pigeons are known for their ability to return to their roosts over long distances. They are capable of sleeping while flying during their homing flights.
Swans
Some species of swans have been observed sleeping while flying during migration. They can sleep in a half-brain mode, keeping one eye open and the corresponding hemisphere of their brain alert.