Birds That Sleep While Flying

Alpine Swift

These birds can stay airborne for up to 200 days and sleep during long migratory flights using half their brain.

Frigatebird

Known for soaring over oceans, they take micro-naps mid-air without falling from the sky.

Common Swift

Capable of sleeping while gliding, they spend nearly 10 months in continuous flight.

Great Frigatebird

They use unihemispheric slow-wave sleep to rest one half of the brain while staying airborne.

Albatross

These ocean wanderers sleep during soaring glides, using wind currents to stay aloft.

Northern Bald Ibis

Though rare, some of these birds sleep lightly during migration using partial brain shutdown.

Manx Shearwater

They rest in flight on ocean winds during long sea journeys, staying alert to dangers.