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How swifts control their glide performance with morphing wings

Author

Listed:
  • D. Lentink

    (Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • U. K. Müller

    (Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • E. J. Stamhuis

    (Groningen University, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands)

  • R. de Kat

    (Delft University of Technology, 2629 HS Delft, The Netherlands)

  • W. van Gestel

    (Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • L. L. M. Veldhuis

    (Delft University of Technology, 2629 HS Delft, The Netherlands)

  • P. Henningsson

    (Lund University, Ecology Building, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden)

  • A. Hedenström

    (Lund University, Ecology Building, SE-223 62 Lund, Sweden)

  • J. J. Videler

    (Groningen University, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands
    Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • J. L. van Leeuwen

    (Experimental Zoology Group, Wageningen University, 6709 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

On the wing Gliding birds continually change the shape and size of their wings, tuning performance by means of morphology. Aerodynamic theory predicts that birds should adjust wing sweep to suit glide speed and now a more refined aerodynamic model has been developed, based on wind-tunnel data. The results reveal a remarkable degree of control: swifts can halve sink speed or triple turning rate by choosing the most suitable sweep. Extended wings are used in slow glides and turns, swept wings for fast glides and (sacrificing lift for load bearing) in fast turns. The efficiency of 'morphing' wings is such that aircraft designers see them as possible successors to current variable-geometry wings: but the swift got there first. The stunning cover photo, by Jean-François Cornuet, shows a gliding swift in a tight turn. Taken at the swift's flight level, it shows how thin and straight the wings remain during a steady glide. Note also that the bird's head is kept horizontal to maintain a level image of its surroundings.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Lentink & U. K. Müller & E. J. Stamhuis & R. de Kat & W. van Gestel & L. L. M. Veldhuis & P. Henningsson & A. Hedenström & J. J. Videler & J. L. van Leeuwen, 2007. "How swifts control their glide performance with morphing wings," Nature, Nature, vol. 446(7139), pages 1082-1085, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:446:y:2007:i:7139:d:10.1038_nature05733
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05733
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    Cited by:

    1. Ikeda, Teruaki & Tanaka, Hiroto & Yoshimura, Ryosuke & Noda, Ryusuke & Fujii, Takeo & Liu, Hao, 2018. "A robust biomimetic blade design for micro wind turbines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 155-165.
    2. Jonathan A. Rader & Tyson L. Hedrick, 2023. "Morphological evolution of bird wings follows a mechanical sensitivity gradient determined by the aerodynamics of flapping flight," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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