A bird that migrates thousands of miles has a distinctive wing feature.

What it means

This item reports on a study of nightjars, migratory birds that fly thousands of miles each year, and the finding that their wings are not perfectly optimized for efficient flight at higher speeds. The "catch" is an evolutionary trade-off: the wing shape that suits their maneuverable, insect-catching flight appears to come at a cost during long-distance migration.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is a faithful popularization of a peer-reviewed study on nightjar wing morphology and flight performance, with Science Daily closely conveying the press release/paper. Core specifics—nightjars migrate long distances yet have wings that are not ideal for high-speed cruising—are directly supported by the release's own language, though the headline alone doesn't confirm the journal or study details.

How new

Published 2026-10-17, so this is current, newly reported research coverage rather than resurfaced material.

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