Page 23 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

FLIGHT

TAKING OFF
Getting airborne uses a lot of energy. Many birds take
off into the wind from dry land, flapping their wings
hard in a figure of eight pattern to create lift and
forward propulsion; others jump from a clifftop or
tree, moving forwards into the air. Most water birds
need to run along the surface of the water in order
to build up the necessary momentum.

HEAVYWEIGHT SWAN
LANDING The Mute Swan is close to the
Birds fly surprisingly fast and so have upper weight limit for flight. It
to reduce their speed quickly before needs to run along the water to
landing. Most birds swing their bodies get aloft: its legs are too short to
give much of a leap from dry land.
backwards and fan their tails to assist
braking, flapping their wings against the TAIL BRAKE
TAKING OFF FROM LAND direction of flight. Just before impact This Woodpigeon (below) has
This Grey Heron stretches forwards, pushes down they thrust their feet its head up, feet ready to push
as hard as it can with its wings, and leaps up with forward to act as down, and its wings well back.
a powerful spring of its legs to rise into the air. shock absorbers. Its broad tail, when fully spread,
acts as an air brake and enables
a safe landing.
CO-ORDINATION AND SPEED
Travelling in flocks requires great
co-ordination. Each bird takes its
SHORT BURSTS OF SPEED
cue from the bird ahead or to one Grey Partridges have deep breast
side of it, so the decision of the muscles and short wings, which SETTLING ON
leading bird to turn, rise, or fall allow bursts of low, fast flight. WATER
carries fluidly through the flock. Water cushions this
Mallard’s landing,
Many birds can fly at speed,but
while its webbed
sustaining this is costly in energy.
feet act as skis. Its
wings beat forward
and back to reduce
the overall speed.

CO-ORDINATION
A mixed flock of Oystercatchers and Knots makes a
remarkable sight in the air as it turns and twists like
smoke, without a single collision. Such birds have
super-quick reactions and tight control.

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