Which animal has the longest recorded migration distance?

The animal with the longest recorded migration distance is the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). These birds migrate from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again every year, covering over 44,000 miles (71,000 kilometers) in total. They fly such long distances because they follow the sun, taking advantage of constant daylight during the summer in both hemispheres.

Arctic Terns are able to fly such long distances thanks to their physical adaptations. They have a long, narrow wingspan and a streamlined body that helps them fly efficiently. They also have a high metabolic rate, which allows them to burn energy quickly and fly for long periods without stopping.

Other animals that are known for their long-distance migrations include humpback whales, wildebeest, and monarch butterflies. Humpback whales migrate up to 16,000 miles (25,000 kilometers) each year, traveling from their feeding grounds in the cold waters of the polar regions to warmer waters near the equator where they breed and give birth.

Wildebeest in Africa migrate up to 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) each year, following the rains in search of fresh grass to eat. And monarch butterflies travel up to 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) from Canada and the United States to Mexico each year to escape the cold winters.