European scientists, "astonished" by the timing of flight ... - The País.com (Spain)

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Five bald ibises flying in formation. / Unsöld Markus (AP / NATURE)

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ibis flying in flocks with such precision movements that have wowed a group of scientists from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London (United Kingdom). In a study in the journal Nature, the researchers measured the wing-beat of 14 birds for 43 minutes. Were “were astonished” by the degree of control animals on their movements and those of colleagues, said Wednesday scientist Steven Portugal AFP.

These birds, like pelicans, geese and other species that migrate in flocks, flying in V and wave formed wings in order: First the bird located at the peak of the V (ahead of the flock), and those that follow, one after another, gradually. Scientists believe so, the air currents created by the front are used by those behind to save energy, with exquisite precision of pace. The flight can be viewed as a standing wave, two separated by just a wave away birds have wings in the exact same position during flight, says Portugal

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The team, made up of British, German and Austrian researchers studied a group of bird species hermit ibis, bred in captivity at Zoo Vienna. These ibis learned to follow their human breeders in a plane, allowing scientists to monitor their migration route to Italy, where they overwinter. Each bird had a GPS device and another that measures acceleration flapping in the back.

flights Understand how to save energy group these birds could help the aviation industry, says Portugal, especially for machines such as drones and ornithopter (aircraft whose wings move similarly to birds).

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