The birds following their foster parents who are on board the microlight. ▲
The northern bald ibis. With its featherless crown, the northern bald ibis bird looks like a vulture. It has a curved beak, long legs and black plumage. ▲
Foster parents Corinna Esterer and Anne-Gabriela Schmalstieg, students of Vienna University. Once the chicks have imprinted on a person, they get bonded to him or her. The birds follow the foster parents wherever they go. ▲
The northern bald ibis in flight. ▲
The flights of up to 301 kilometres non-stop and an altitude of 2,450 metres above mean sea level are considered a record performance. ▲
Over urban dwellings, villages, meadows, lakes, valleys and mountain ranges, on their way to Tuscany. ▲
Johannes Fritz, leader of the Waldrapp team. He launched the Waldrapp project in 2001 with the support of the Vienna Zoo and other partners. ▲
Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist and naturalist , . Recently, she initiated the signing of an agreement to support the reintroduction of the bald ibis in Europe. ▲
There were 14 stopovers for the birds to rest. ▲
Birds following the microlight. During the flight, the position of each bird was recorded at close intervals by GPS data logger. The journey was filmed by a TV team in a helicopter. ▲
The flight was in four stages. The first was across the Alps. Because of heavy headwinds, this stage was especially difficult. ▲
Over urban dwellings, on their way to Tuscany. ▲
Over Tuscany, where birds of different species have their migratory destinations. ▲
In Tuscany. The young birds can now live independently as migratory birds. ▲
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