Flight
7 questions tagged Flight — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
What is a bird’s alula?
The alula is a small group of feathers on a bird’s thumb that helps control airflow at low speeds. It acts a bit like a wing spoiler during takeoff and landing.
Why do hummingbirds flap their wings so fast?
Hummingbirds beat their wings extremely rapidly to generate lift in a tiny body and hover in place. Their hovering lets them feed on nectar without landing.
Why can hummingbirds fly backward?
Their wing motion is so flexible that they can reverse the airflow pattern and move backward. This is useful when leaving flowers after feeding.
Why do dragonflies catch prey so well in midair?
Dragonflies are excellent aerial hunters because of their large eyes, fast flight muscles, and superb motion tracking. Their hunting success is among the best in the insect world.
What is a hummingbird hover?
A hummingbird hover is the bird’s ability to stay nearly motionless in the air by rapidly beating its wings. It allows hummingbirds to feed from flowers while airborne.
Which bird can stay in the air the longest without landing?
The common swift is famous for staying airborne for months at a time, with tracking studies showing individuals can remain aloft for around 10 months.
Which bird has the fastest wingbeat rate?
Hummingbirds have the fastest wingbeats of any birds, and the bee hummingbird can beat its wings around 80 times per second during courtship dives.