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Fly like a bird: The V formation finally explained | Fly like a bird: The V formation finally explained |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The mystery of why so many birds fly in a V formation may have been solved. | The mystery of why so many birds fly in a V formation may have been solved. |
Scientists from the Royal Veterinary College fitted data loggers to a flock of rare birds that were being trained to migrate by following a microlight. | Scientists from the Royal Veterinary College fitted data loggers to a flock of rare birds that were being trained to migrate by following a microlight. |
This revealed that the birds flew in the optimal position - gaining lift from the bird in front by remaining close to its wingtip. | This revealed that the birds flew in the optimal position - gaining lift from the bird in front by remaining close to its wingtip. |
The study, published in the journal Nature, also showed that the birds timed their wing beats. | The study, published in the journal Nature, also showed that the birds timed their wing beats. |
A previous experiment in pelicans was the first real clue to the energy-saving purpose of V formations. It revealed that birds' heart rates went down when they were flying together in V. | |
But this latest study tracked and monitored the flight of every bird in the flock - recording its position, speed and heading as well as every wing flap. | But this latest study tracked and monitored the flight of every bird in the flock - recording its position, speed and heading as well as every wing flap. |
This was possible thanks to a unique conservation project by the Waldarappteam in Austria, which has raised flocks of northern bald ibises and trained them to migrate behind a microlight. | This was possible thanks to a unique conservation project by the Waldarappteam in Austria, which has raised flocks of northern bald ibises and trained them to migrate behind a microlight. |
The aim of this unusual project is to bring the northern bald ibis back to Europe; the birds were wiped out by hunting, so the team is retraining the birds to navigate a migration route that has now been lost. | The aim of this unusual project is to bring the northern bald ibis back to Europe; the birds were wiped out by hunting, so the team is retraining the birds to navigate a migration route that has now been lost. |
Fitting tiny data loggers to these critically endangered ibises showed that the birds often changed position and altered the timing of their wing beats to give them an aerodynamic advantage. | Fitting tiny data loggers to these critically endangered ibises showed that the birds often changed position and altered the timing of their wing beats to give them an aerodynamic advantage. |
Lead researcher Dr Steven Portugal explained: "They're seemingly very aware of where the other birds are in the flock and they put themselves in the best possible position." | Lead researcher Dr Steven Portugal explained: "They're seemingly very aware of where the other birds are in the flock and they put themselves in the best possible position." |
This makes the most of upward-moving air generated by the bird in front. | This makes the most of upward-moving air generated by the bird in front. |
This so-called "upwash" is created as a bird flies forward; whether it is gliding or flapping, it pushes air downward beneath its wings. | This so-called "upwash" is created as a bird flies forward; whether it is gliding or flapping, it pushes air downward beneath its wings. |
"Downwash is bad," explained Dr Portugal. "Birds don't want to be in another bird's downwash as it's pushing them down." | "Downwash is bad," explained Dr Portugal. "Birds don't want to be in another bird's downwash as it's pushing them down." |
But as the air squeezes around the outside of the wings, it creates upwash at the wingtips. | But as the air squeezes around the outside of the wings, it creates upwash at the wingtips. |
"This can give a bit of a free ride for the bird that's following," said Dr Portugal. "So the other bird wants to put its own wingtip in the upwash from the bird in front." | "This can give a bit of a free ride for the bird that's following," said Dr Portugal. "So the other bird wants to put its own wingtip in the upwash from the bird in front." |
The other really surprising result, the researchers said, was that the birds also "timed their wing beats perfectly to match the good air off the bird in front". | The other really surprising result, the researchers said, was that the birds also "timed their wing beats perfectly to match the good air off the bird in front". |
"Each bird [kept] its wingtip in the upwash throughout the flap cycle," Dr Portugal explained. | "Each bird [kept] its wingtip in the upwash throughout the flap cycle," Dr Portugal explained. |
Natural phenomenon | Natural phenomenon |
Just as the birds save energy by gaining lift from other birds, many companies that are developing unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are looking to copy the energy-efficient V formation. | Just as the birds save energy by gaining lift from other birds, many companies that are developing unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are looking to copy the energy-efficient V formation. |
"Elucidating this mechanism might go some way to helping [companies] understand how they can replicate that with their plane formation to save fuel," said Dr Portugal. | "Elucidating this mechanism might go some way to helping [companies] understand how they can replicate that with their plane formation to save fuel," said Dr Portugal. |
But for scientists, it is the insight into a remarkable natural phenomenon that is truly exciting. | But for scientists, it is the insight into a remarkable natural phenomenon that is truly exciting. |
"V formations are so beautiful," said Adrian Thomas, professor of biomechanics at Oxford University. | "V formations are so beautiful," said Adrian Thomas, professor of biomechanics at Oxford University. |
"We see them all the time and really want to understand and explain them, and this team has gone a long way towards doing that." | "We see them all the time and really want to understand and explain them, and this team has gone a long way towards doing that." |
Dr Portugal added: "What these birds are able to do is amazing. | Dr Portugal added: "What these birds are able to do is amazing. |
"They're able to sense what's going on from the bird in front, where this good air is coming from and how to position themselves perfectly in it. | "They're able to sense what's going on from the bird in front, where this good air is coming from and how to position themselves perfectly in it. |
"So from a sensory point of view, it's really incredible." | "So from a sensory point of view, it's really incredible." |
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