Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Sherub S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5095188 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air.
Sherub Sherub S Bohrer Gil G Wikelski Martin M Weinzierl Rolf R
Biology letters 20161001 10
Soaring raptors can fly at high altitudes of up to 9000 m. The behavioural adjustments to high-altitude flights are largely unknown. We studied thermalling flights of Himalayan vultures (Gyps himalayensis) from 50 to 6500 m above sea level, a twofold range of air densities. To create the necessary lift to support the same weight and maintain soaring flight in thin air birds might modify lift coefficient by biophysical changes, such as wing posture and increasing the power expenditure. Alternativ ...[more]
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