An ornithologist tracks a bird that flies 1,800 km in 3 days. On day 1, it flies 40% of the total distance; on day 2, it flies 35%. How far does it fly on day 3?

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:20:00 +0000

**Why an ornithologist tracks a bird flying 1,800 km in just 3 days—and where that number truly lands** Every year, as migration season peaks across the United States, curiosity pulses around one astonishing natural feat: a bird flying 1,800 kilometers in 72 hours. While that distance evokes images of endurance and navigation across vast skies, few stop to calculate the daily rhythm behind such extraordinary journeys. For certified ornithologists, tracking this flight pattern with precision is key to understanding migration dynamics—where birds fly fastest, where they rest, and how their pace varies across terrain and time. Understanding a bird’s daily distance sheds light on broader ecological and scientific questions. Over just three days, one bird covers nearly 40% of its total migration, with day 1 clocking in at 40% of 1,800 km—equaling 720 kilometers. Day 2 brings a steady 35%, or 630 kilometers, driven by favorable winds and terrain. That leaves day 3 with a calculated 900 kilometers—fully consistent with realistic avian physiology and flight efficiency. ### Why tracking bird movements via migration patterns like this has gone mainstream