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Energy cost of gliding flight in herring gulls

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Abstract

BY using the interplay of aerodynamic and gravitational forces, birds are known to travel considerable distances on fixed wings. The aerodynamics of this form of flight has been studied in the field1–3 and in wind tunnels4–6, but the energetic cost is unknown. We report here experimental determinations of oxygen consumption during prolonged gliding.

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BAUDINETTE, R., SCHMIDT-NIELSEN, K. Energy cost of gliding flight in herring gulls. Nature 248, 83–84 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/248083b0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/248083b0

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