Wake analysis of drag components in gliding flight of a jackdaw (Corvus monedula) during moult

KleinHeerenbrink, MarcoLund University,Lunds universitet,Evolutionär ekologi,Biologiska institutionen,Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten,Evolutionary ecology,Department of Biology,Faculty of Science (author)

To maintain the quality of the feathers, birds regularly undergo moult. It is widely accepted that moult affects flight performance, but the specific aerodynamic consequences have received relatively little attention. Here we measured the components of aerodynamic drag from the wake behind a gliding jackdaw (Corvus monedula) at different stages of its natural wing moult. We found that span efficiency was reduced (lift induced drag increased) and the wing profile drag coefficient was increased. Both effects best correlated with the corresponding reduction in spanwise camber. The negative effects are partially mitigated by adjustments of wing posture to minimize gaps in the wing, and by weight loss to reduce wing loading. By studying the aerodynamic consequences of moult, we can refine our understanding of the emergence of various moulting strategies found among birds.

Hedenström, AndersLund University,Lunds universitet,Biologiska institutionen,Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten,Department of Biology,Faculty of Science(Swepub:lu)ekol-ahe (author)
Evolutionär ekologiBiologiska institutionen (creator_code:org_t)

About the subject

NATURAL SCIENCES: NATURAL SCIENCES; and Biological Scien ...; and Biophysics

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