Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air

Sherub, Sherub; Bohrer, Gil; Wikelski, Martin; Weinzierl, Rolf

Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air

Files

Sherub_0-372486.pdf(519.81 KB)

Date

2016

Authors

Sherub, Sherub

Bohrer, Gil

Wikelski, Martin

Weinzierl, Rolf

Publication type

Journal article

Publication status

Published

Published in

Biology Letters ; 12 (2016), 10. - 20160432. - ISSN 1744-9561. - eISSN 1744-957X

Abstract

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. Alternatively, they can change their flight characteristics. We show that vultures use the latter and increase circle radius by 35% and airspeed by 21% over their flight altitude range. These simple behavioural adjustments enable vultures to move seamlessly during their annual migrations over the Himalaya without increasing energy output for flight at high elevations.

Subject (DDC)

570 Biosciences, Biology

Cite This

ISO 690

SHERUB, Sherub, Gil BOHRER, Martin WIKELSKI, Rolf WEINZIERL, 2016. Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air. In: Biology Letters. 12(10), 20160432. ISSN 1744-9561. eISSN 1744-957X. Available under: doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0432

BibTex

@article{Sherub2016Behav-37551,
  year={2016},
  doi={10.1098/rsbl.2016.0432},
  title={Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air},
  number={10},
  volume={12},
  issn={1744-9561},
  journal={Biology Letters},
  author={Sherub, Sherub and Bohrer, Gil and Wikelski, Martin and Weinzierl, Rolf},
  note={Article Number: 20160432}
}

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Bibliography of Konstanz

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