Record #00369Nature archive
Highest Recorded Flight Altitude of a Bird
On 29 November 1973, a Rüppell's griffon vulture struck an aircraft at roughly 11,300 metres over Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire; identified feathers provide physical evidence for the highest documented bird-flight altitude.
ARCHIVE VISUAL / 01
NOT TO SCALE
Current Record
11,300m
Current record value
- Location
- Over Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- Start date
- 1973-11-29
- Record status
- VerifiedView verification details ↗Report an issue
Overview
Archive NoteThe collision damaged one engine, but the aircraft landed safely. Feathers recovered after impact were positively identified by the American Museum of Natural History.
Most migratory birds fly far below this exceptional altitude. The event proves an extreme observation, not a normal flight elevation for all members of the species.
Record history
1 Milestones- 11,300 mRüppell's griffon vultureOver Abidjan, Côte d'IvoireCurrent Record
Sources
Evidence & ReferencesVerification basis and limitations
VerifiedThe record conclusion has sufficient verification support.
Basis: direct confirmation by an authority
Original Guinness records identify the comparative record holder and value while distinguishing measurement limits and prior records.
- Verification assessment
- 2026-11-05
- Last editorial review
- 2026-11-05
Current Entry identifies the current entry in this archive; it does not establish that the record is still held today.
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