males condors head adorned with fleshy dark red comb, and the skin on the neck forms wrinkles
In South America to meet some of the most large and heavy birds on our planet — Andean condors (Vultur gryphus). These black and white creatures were known even to our ancestors, as evidenced by the drawings on the walls of various caves. The huge wingspan of the Condor is up to 3.1 metres and a body mass of some individuals is 16 kilograms. Fortunately, these scavenging birds are not considered endangered, but scientists still gave them the status of "close to the vulnerable situation". The study of these unusual creatures has been ongoing for many years and only recently researchers were able to make a very interesting discovery — it appears that Andean condors can fly hundreds of kilometers, making only one stroke of the wings. But how is this possible?
The huge birds and their unusual abilities was described in . The study of these creatures has engaged ornithologists from the University of Swansea (UK). They put on the bodies of eight Andean condors special device for counting the number of strokes of the wings during flight. In scientific work the researchers collected data for 230 hours of flight information they had plenty. Examining the collected material, they have made quite an unexpected discovery.
For a few hours of flight, most of the huge birds made only one stroke of the wings. Basically, this flick was only needed for takeoff, in the air — all the rest of the birds just used their wings as parachutes. According to the authors of scientific work, these birds like to fly to glider aircraft, the main part of which is the parachute. In good weather experienced paragliders can use natural air currents to fly for the whole day.
Glider and paraglider
One of the studied Andean condors have been in the air for about five hours and almost did not make flapping wings. Thus, only one air flow, it has covered a distance of about 170 kilometers. If these birds had access to the forecast the weather as the sky and knew the best time to fly, you probably could hold in the sky the whole day or even more.
What these huge birds trying as little as possible to flap their wings — quite logical. The fact that their bodies are too heavy and lifting them into the air needs to affect a lot of energy. For comparison, birds hummingbirds weighing up to 12 grams, flap their wings about 80 times per second. And it does not take a lot of energy, because to raise such a tiny and light body do not need a lot of strength.
body Weight some hummingbirds may be 1-2 grams
The Ability to save energy during the flight are, and other large birds — albatrosses. Sweep their wings even more than the Andean condors and about 370 centimetres. Only now they weigh a little less — about 11 pounds. Perhaps that is why they can afford more control in flight, thanks to the majestic beating of wings. According to scientists, the beating of wings albatrosses spend from 1.2 to 14.5% of the total flight time.
Albatrosses are among the largest birds in the world
According to the expert on the flight of birds by David Lentink (David Lentink), the fact that the condors almost never flap their wings during flight, amazing. It is believed that such open methods of flight of huge birds of our time will help us to understand how millions of years ago flew their great ancestors. For example, a scientist always wondered how the extinct flying argentavis (Argentavis magnificens), the body which would weigh about 72 pounds.
comparing the size of the body of the Condor, and argentavis
While scientists study huge birds, I suggest you to read about not less interesting feathered creatures. Last year I wrote an article about endangered parrots, kakapo (Strigops habroptila), and the bird-kiwi (Apteryx). In my opinion, turned out very interesting stuff, when you write that I own . Happy reading!
