1. TYPES OF FLIGHT IN BIRDS
Different birds use different kinds of flight during different times.
1. Gliding flight: The wings remain stationary during gliding flight and
the bird loses altitude. Water fowl use gliding flight for landing.
2. Flapping flight
2. Flapping flight: Flapping flight generates the power for flight. It is
the most common type of flying. Many variations are present in wing
shape. Therefore, flapping patterns is different in different species
3. Soaring flight
3. Soaring flight : Soaring flight allows some birds to remain in air without
spending much energy. Wings remain stationary during soaring. The bird
uses updrafts and air currents to gain altitude. Hawks and vultures are
soaring birds. They encircle the mountain valleys. They soar downwind to
pick up speed. Then the turn upwind to gain altitude. Then the bird slows
down and starts losing altitude. It turns downwind again.
4. Soaring flight
The wings of many soaring bids are wide and slotted. It increases their
activities at relatively low speeds. Oceanic soarers like frigate birds
have long narrow wings. These wings provide maximum lift at high
speeds. But it reduces their activities. It also makes takeoff and
landing difficult.
5. 4. Hovering flight: Hummingbirds perform hovering flight. They fan
their wings beck and forth hover in still air by (50 to 80 beats per
second). They remain suspended in front of a flower or feeding station
during hovering
Hovering flight
