[QUOTE][QUOTE][IMG]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/72298000/jpg/_72298364_72298361.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
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.
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.
Source:
[URL]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25736049[/URL]
[URL]http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v505/n7483/full/nature12939.html[/URL][/QUOTE]
I thought this has been known for a long time? I recall hearing this same explanation years and years ago. The wing vortices of the lead bird allow the following birds to remain aloft more easily, and changes in his direction can be picked up through them, which is why birds seem to be able to hold a near-perfect formation in flight.
This is old news, why is it all over the media lately?
People must really be stupid.
[QUOTE=Big Dumb American;43561228]I thought this has been known for a long time? I recall hearing this same explanation years and years ago. The wing vortices of the lead bird allow the following birds to remain aloft more easily, and changes in his direction can be picked up through them, which is why birds seem to be able to hold a near-perfect formation in flight.[/QUOTE]
I was told this as a small kid definitely more than a decade ago. Also, they keep circulating through the flight so the previous lead can take a break. It's really neat.
That's why they switch positions as well. The bird in front has the hardest job so they switch around so everyone shares the burden.
I heard about this years ago and I watched an episode of Mythbusters a month ago that proved it's more efficient for all of the birds to fly in this position
We still don't know what they are though.
[QUOTE=PyroCF;43561877]We still don't know what they are though.[/QUOTE]
Birds, I think.
I thought it was because only 1 model needed to be moved rather than all of them individually
i learnt this in primary school!
[QUOTE=Protocol7;43561890]Birds, I think.[/QUOTE]
[video=youtube;Kh0Y2hVe_bw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0Y2hVe_bw[/video]
it really surprises me that birds know how to fly
they explained this shit in the mighty ducks
every teacher i had in elementary and high school said 'we don't know, it's a mystery'
although
i do live in alabama
[quote]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.[/quote]
I think that this is the new part
What's with all these studies recently to explain things that are supposed to be known already?
[QUOTE=Protocol7;43561890]Birds, I think.[/QUOTE]
I think it's a plane
[QUOTE=Dr McNinja;43561572]That's why they switch positions as well. The bird in front has the hardest job so they switch around so everyone shares the burden.[/QUOTE]
So what you're saying is...
[I]Birds are communists?!
[/I]
DISGUSTING! BETTER DEAD THAN RED!
Saw this on QI awhile ago.
[QUOTE]that were being trained to migrate by following a microlight.
[/QUOTE]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cd/Fly_away_home_poster.jpg[/img]
?
[QUOTE=Cliff2;43563112][video=youtube;Kh0Y2hVe_bw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh0Y2hVe_bw[/video][/QUOTE]
At least post the full study on the subject
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfvEgWINUFc[/media]
I was convinced by that troll vid at first until it got to the upside down pigeons, it was ducking amazing.
[QUOTE][B]Dr Portugal[/B] explained[/QUOTE]
heh
birds are smart as fuck
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