How birds fly from Europe to Uganda ‘without running out of fuel’

Without a global positioning system (GPS), signposts, a control tower, or a map, thousands of birds flap their wings from as far as Europe to the averred destination of Uganda.

There those on short flights from neighbouring countries and their counterparts from the USA, South Africa, and Asia. 

Asked how the feathered migrants manage the flight without running out of fuel (energy) as Uganda Airlines UR 321 on July 12 did in Dar es Salaam, the executive director of Nature Uganda, Achilles Byaruhanga laboured to explain.

“These long flights are what excites bird watchers the world over,” begun Byaruhanga. “In Uganda, migrants congregate in Lutembe beach, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Mabamba Swamp to dining or sip water with their hosts.”

He adds that birds use their natural radars to monitor climate change, access to food, and nesting requirements.

‘The destination of these migrants is in places where they can feed, away from predators and enough water for their survival,” added Byaruhanga. “If they find the place destroyed by fire or cultivated - they change the migration pattern.”

Migrants sun bath and feed at Lutembe Beach before flying back home. (Photo by Titus Kakembo)

However, a seasoned bird guide Herbert Byaruhanga has another view about the feathered migrants as they sunbathe and feast.

“There are birds that stay put and adapt to weather patterns. They have thick feathers, fat reserves, and feather insulation with which they hunt for food during winter,” revealed Herbert Byaruhanga. “Unlike pilots who have a flight plan, birds use geographical features like water bodies, valleys, and mountains.”

With a forecast, Swallows, Wood Pigeons, and Warblers tell the changing of the seasons using the light level or the position of the sun in the sky and the overall amount of light. Consequently, what determines migration are: an abundance of food, weather conditions, and wind patterns.

Combing every inch in the forest for shy birds. (Photo by Titus Kakembo)

A ruby-throated hummingbird has been spotted in Kidepo by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger John Logwe. It gained a lot of weight while here foraging in preparation for the flight back home.

“This process of gaining weight when migrating is technically called hyperphagia, and many migratory birds experience it,” explained Logwe. “I have seen many birds get new feathers in preparation for the journey back to Europe or Asia. This is because the old ones resist wind in flight and need more energy.”

New feathers are more aerodynamic. As if that was not enough preparation, birds also change their behaviour during migration to make the journey safer.

“I have learned that they fly at higher altitudes during migration than they would for shorter flights,” narrates Logwe. “This is because wind patterns higher up to help push them along, and the cooler air keeps their bodies from overheating due to exertion.”

Some prefer night flights which are safer from predators. Some migrants never complete their journey given the prevailing challenges encountered.

Vibrant colours of the creasted crane at UWEC can not be missed by bird lovers. (Photo by Titus Kakembo)

Given the rapid urbanization, there is inadequate food and subsequent starvation which implies a lack of fuel (energy) to travel. Worse still, there are collisions with glass windows, aeroplane engines, buildings, power lines, and wind farms along migration routes.

“Most stopover habitats loss is as a result of ongoing development, agriculture, clear-cutting, or pollution,” says UWA executive director Sam Mwandha. “These dangers are in addition to predators like wild animals like feral cats and loose dogs.”

Unpredictable weathers witnessing heavy storms injure and disorient the feathered beauties.

“As we get more light pollution in the many cities the birds get disoriented while navigating their way using stars,” says a birder, Patricia Kansime. “This is in addition to being hunted for food.

“To enable birds to complete their journeys safely, there is need to take steps to prevent: window collisions, turning off outdoor lights at night, and keeping cats indoors are all easy steps that can help migrating birds,” says Kansime. “Migration is a dangerous but necessary journey for many birds. Fortunately, they are well equipped to survive the task and bring winged enjoyment back to birders in Uganda year after year.”