There was an article in outdoor magazine last summer about how high birds
fly and it mentioned their O2 ability to "recirculation" to get max 02 and
that migrating birds do change altitude based on headwind/tailwind

I once dodged, not that I moved much other than flinching, a soaring raptor
at FL210 in SW Wyoming. I was in a B-52 and the co-pilot and I both saw it.

In response to another posting in "how do they know what it was?", yes, they
do take DNA samples from evidence left behind, along with tell tale feathers
etc. Had to do that one night after missing a snow owl on a ILS approach. He
left a grease trail and some feathers down the side of the B-1.

BT

"A Lieberman" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 5 Nov 2005 07:09:56 -0500, Peter R. wrote:

The whole time of useful consciousness apparently is not an issue with a
goose? I wonder what gives a goose's lungs the ability to extract o2 at
that altitude?

In addition to what Peter wrote above, I wonder what gives the goose the
ability to even survive the extreme cold temperatures. O2 was my first
thought and temp came secondary.

Or the ability to maintain lift at that altitude since the air would be
quite thin?

I know goose down clothing are warm, but are Geese that tough?

Allen