Articles tagged with Bird Flight
A study of extinct bird species reveals that flightlessness developed in many cases due to human impact, with 29% of extinct species lacking the ability to fly. The researchers found that if humans had not caused some extinctions, there would be over 150 independently developed flightless bird groups.
A team of scientists discovered that scansoriopterygids, a group of bat-winged theropod dinosaurs, were capable of clumsy gliding due to their unique wing shape. Despite their gliding abilities, they were unable to achieve powered flight and eventually became an evolutionary dead-end.
Researchers discovered that Yi and Ambopteryx, two small dinosaur species from Late Jurassic China, evolved the ability to glide but were poorly capable of powered flight. They relied on gliding as an escape mechanism to stay out of danger while struggling to compete with other tree-dwelling dinosaurs and early birds.
Two small dinosaurs, Yi and Ambopteryx, had bat-like wings but struggled to fly, instead gliding between trees. Their unique wing membranes allowed them to glide, but not powered flight. The study supports that dinosaurs evolved flight in multiple ways before modern birds evolved.
A new metric, stopover-to-passage ratio, helps determine when birds fly over a site or stop to refuel or rest. The study reveals critical importance of habitats around the US Gulf Coast for sustaining migratory birds, with over half stopping at these sites.
Researchers discovered that Fork-tailed Flycatchers produce unique sounds by fluttering their feathers, which differ between subspecies with varying migration patterns. The distinct 'dialects' may contribute to the species splitting into separate entities.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong used Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence to reveal the fingernail-like 'soft beak' of Confuciusornis, a feature found in every bird. The study suggests that early beaked birds were suited to eating soft foods and offers new insights into ancient bird evolution.
New research by the British Trust for Ornithology finds that drones can scare wintering waterbirds into flight, causing them to waste energy and reduce their feeding time. The study reveals that larger flocks are more likely to respond to drone disturbance, with habitats like arable farmland being particularly sensitive.
The publication provides a comprehensive overview of pennaraptoran theropods, covering their fossil record, systematics, anatomy, and early flight studies. Key findings include the identification of key avian traits that originated deep within theropod evolution and the discovery of unique reproductive strategies.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals a significant decline in US bird biodiversity related to neonicotinoid use, particularly affecting grassland birds. The research found a 2.2% decline in grassland bird populations for every 100 kg increase in neonicotinoid usage per county.
Researchers found that powered flight potential evolved at least three times in theropods: once in birds and twice in dromaeosaurids. This challenges the traditional view of bird origins, presenting a more complex picture of experimentation with wing-assisted locomotion.
An international study reconstructs powered flight potential in theropod dinosaurs, finding it evolved at least three times. Many ancestors of bird relatives experimented with wing-assisted locomotion before flight evolved.
A team of engineers has designed a 26 gram ornithopter that can hover, dart, glide, brake, and dive like a swift, making it more versatile and safer than quadcopter drones. The drone's ability to fly in cluttered environments and stop quickly from fast speeds avoids collisions.
The Andean condor flaps its wings only 1% of the time during flight, with most movement occurring through air currents. Research using high-tech flight-recorders revealed that over 75% of wing movements are associated with take-off.
Andean condors flap their wings for only 1.3% of the total recorded flight time, with most time spent gliding and soaring. Flapping is most frequent during takeoffs and in early morning, when thermal updrafts form.
Research reveals that seabirds produce efficient propulsive wakes when flying and swimming, allowing them to move with minimal metabolic energy in both environments. However, the birds' wing movements indicate a cost to using their wings for movement in air and water.
A study by Oregon State University found that flappers are more effective than traditional PVC spirals in reducing bird fatalities from power lines. The research suggests flappers be used as the first choice when installing bird flight diverters, with comparable materials and production costs.
New research analyzing over 10,000 bird species reveals that wing shape adapted for long-distance flight is primarily driven by temperature variability, territory defense, and migration. This geographic pattern has significant implications for understanding biodiversity and may explain smaller geographical ranges in tropical species.
A new study reveals that Sonic hedgehog plays a crucial role in establishing flight feather identity in birds, similar to how it specifies digit identities. By using chicken embryos, researchers found that Shh is required for wing development and defines a set of genes involved in this process.
Scientists have developed a tiny device to study the avian magnetic orientation mechanism, challenging the prevailing photochemical theory. The experiment found that birds with portable devices attached were not disoriented when exposed to local oscillating magnetic fields, suggesting alternative components of the magnetoreception system.
Two new studies uncover the secrets behind birds' precise flight control, paving the way for more agile robotic wings. Researchers found that finger motion initiates stable turn maneuvers and 'directional Velcro' mechanisms lock feathers together during wing extension.
A recent study analyzed the gut microbiomes of over 900 species, revealing that birds and bats have surprisingly similar gut bacteria, contrary to expectations. The researchers believe that flying may be the reason for this unique relationship, as it would allow animals to allocate resources more efficiently.
Researchers have discovered a novel retinal structure in flycatchers that contains megamitochondria and small oil droplets, potentially enhancing their ability to detect and track insect prey. This unique structure is unevenly distributed across the retina and may provide an additional visual channel for these small predatory songbirds.
A study by USC researchers reveals the common core design of feathers across 21 bird species, with options for specialized performance. The findings hold promise for engineers seeking better ways to build drones and other advanced materials.
Researchers from McGill University and the University of California, Davis, discovered that puffin beaks can drop by 5°C within 30 minutes of landing, suggesting an evolutionary trait to cool down during flight. This study suggests that large bills may have evolved to help birds dissipate heat from energetically demanding activities.
The researchers found that the modular structure of feathers enables birds to adapt to different environments. They also discovered the underlying molecular signals guiding feather development, including Bmp and Ski pathways.
Researchers at Stanford University found that birds utilize drag to support their body weight during takeoff, employing lift as a brake in landings. This new understanding challenges conventional wisdom about the role of drag and lift in flight.
A new study published in Science Advances sheds light on the evolution of bird flight styles, highlighting the importance of wing flexibility and wrist movement. Researchers found that birds specializing in gliding, like bald eagles, have a restricted ability to extend their elbows but can move their wrists freely.
Researchers found that European nightjars begin their autumn migration 10 days after the full moon and synchronize their flight to depart at the same time. The study reveals that moonlight affects the birds' activity patterns, enabling them to hunt more efficiently and replenish energy reserves.
A team of researchers is creating an advanced autopilot system that can autonomously evaluate unforeseen circumstances and land a plane safely. The system will combine image processing, on-board computers, and sensor redundancy to defend against catastrophic failures.
Scientists have discovered a 62-million-year-old bird species in New Zealand, which is one of the oldest named bird species in the world. The discovery of Protodontopteryx ruthae sheds new light on the evolution of seabirds and their adaptation to different environments.
A new study identifies a crucial stopover region in southern Mexico and Guatemala where songbirds fuel up before crossing the Gulf of Mexico. Researchers found that birds preparing for migration spend most of their time in this region to build energy reserves.
Researchers found that bar-headed geese can fly at altitudes of up to 8500m by reducing their metabolism, increasing oxygen transport per heartbeat and heart rate, and lowering blood temperature. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy and fly efficiently in low-oxygen conditions.
The study, published in eLife, reveals that birds adapt their grip by wrapping their toes and curling their claws to stick the landing. Researchers aim to apply this knowledge to develop more nimble flying robots with bimodal capabilities.
Researchers at Stanford University found that lovebirds can navigate through extreme crosswinds in both bright and dark environments, challenging long-held assumptions about bird navigation. By stabilizing their gaze and twisting their necks, the birds actively control their flight towards a light beacon.
Researchers found that homing pigeons increase their wingbeat frequency by one extra beat per second when flying in pairs compared to solo. This is equivalent to Usain Bolt running at his usual speed while adding nearly one extra step per second.
A new species of Jurassic scansoriopterygid dinosaur with associated feathers and membranous tissues has been discovered, providing new insights into the origin of flight in Dinosauria. The well-preserved skeleton of Ambopteryx longibrachium preserves a unique wing structure supported by a rod-like wrist bone.
Researchers found that paired jackdaws use less energy in flight, but the existence of pairs inhibits the way information passes between birds, reducing the flock's ability to react to disturbances. This challenges current models of collective behavior in nature.
Researchers found that noncoding DNA regions play a crucial role in the evolution of flightlessness in disparate bird species. The study's results contradict previous findings on protein-coding DNA changes and suggest rapid, convergent adaptations across taxa.
A new analysis of 40 years of bird collision data reveals that nocturnal flight calls increase building collisions among migrating birds, especially in areas with artificial light. The study suggests that the faint chirps may lure other nearby birds to their death.
A team of researchers from University of Guelph tracked the annual migration of blackpoll warblers, one of the fastest declining songbirds in North America. The birds migrate up to 20,000 kilometers between their breeding grounds in the central and western boreal forest and their winter home in the Amazon Basin.
A new study reveals that Anchiornis, one of the earliest known feathered dinosaurs, had feathers with thicker alpha-keratins instead of beta-keratins, lacking necessary biomechanical properties for flight. However, its molecular composition may signify an intermediate stage in the evolution of avian flight feathers.
Scientists at UC San Diego discovered that barbules on bird feathers are spaced consistently across species, leading to potential breakthroughs in adhesives and aerospace materials. The study's findings also shed light on the growth patterns of bird bones, particularly the humerus.
Researchers discovered four kinds of pterosaur feathers, similar to those found in birds and dinosaurs. These findings push the origin of feathers back to 250 million years ago, revealing a key moment in life's evolution.
A newly discovered fossil from a 75-million-year-old bird reveals that enantiornithines were as advanced as modern birds in terms of flight. The fossil's unique features, including a deeper keeled breast bone and V-shaped wishbone, suggest a stronger and more agile wing structure.
The newly described fossil, Mirarce eatoni, is the most complete enantiornithine bird skeleton found in North America, providing insights into the evolution of flight. Its unique features, including quill knobs and a deeper keel on its sternum, indicate that it was a strong flier.
A new study reveals how vultures use social networks to gather flight information, making risky yet efficient choices. The research, led by Hannah Williams from Swansea University, tracked the movements of five vultures using special tag technology and found that they fly towards areas where other birds had been circling.
Researchers measured the ground effect of flying animals and found that it saves twice as much energy as previously believed. The study supports the 'ground up' theory on how birds began to fly by suggesting that proto-wings evolved from running and jumping abilities.
Researchers discovered fossilized lung structures in an early bird ancestor, similar to those of modern birds. The findings suggest that key avian structures were in place by the Early Cretaceous and may have helped modern bird ancestors survive the extinction of dinosaurs.
Researchers will explore how smooth muscles control feathers and aid birds in flight, a novel approach that could reveal the role of smooth muscle in limb control for the first time. By studying body contour feathers and wing movement, they aim to transform our understanding of bird flight.
Researchers at Purdue University have found that red and blue LED lights can lead some birds to fly away, potentially preventing bird strikes. The study used a single-choice test to measure avoidance behavior in brown-headed cowbirds.
A newly discovered extinct bird species, Jinguofortis perplexus, sheds light on early flight development and evolutionary variation. The fossil's unique traits, including a fused shoulder girdle, suggest different flying styles during the Cretaceous period.
Researchers discover Jinguofortis perplexus, a Pygostylia species with both bird-like and dinosaur-like features, providing insight into the evolution of modern birds. The study highlights the role of developmental plasticity in shaping the avian shoulder girdle.
Researchers from UC San Diego use reinforcement learning to train gliders to navigate atmospheric thermals, achieving heights of 700 meters. The study highlights vertical wind accelerations and roll-wise torques as key cues for soaring birds, with implications for autonomous flying vehicle development.
Scientists from the Salk Institute and UC San Diego use reinforcement learning to train gliders to navigate atmospheric thermals, reaching heights of 700 meters. The research highlights the role of vertical wind accelerations and roll-wise torques as navigational cues for soaring birds.
A new forecasting model uses Next-Generation Radar data to capture migratory patterns of birds with high spatial accuracy, explaining up to 81% of variation in migration timing and intensity across the U.S. The model can forecast movements up to a week ahead and estimate total bird numbers making the journey.
Researchers will combine novel tracking devices with weather radar data to gain insights into migratory birds' atmospheric habitats. The project aims to understand the impact of climate change on bird migration patterns and develop strategies for local adaptation.
Researchers created a new algorithm to safely herd flocks of birds away from airports, reducing bird strikes and potential damages. The drone-based system successfully diverted entire flocks without fragmenting their formation.
Researchers at Lund University tracked the flight height of two small bird species migrating from Scandinavia to Africa, finding they flew as high as 3,950m. The study used a data logger to measure acceleration, air pressure, and temperature during flight, revealing the birds' altitude adjustments in response to changing wind conditions.
Researchers designed an aerial robot that can alter its profile during flight to reduce its wingspan and navigate through narrow passages. The Quad-Morphing robot has two rotating arms equipped with propellers, allowing it to fly like a helicopter and adopt different arm orientations to traverse tight spaces.