Meeting Abstract
Hummingbirds have the unique ability to continuously hover, which aerodynamically distinguishes them from other birds. The near kinematic symmetry between the upstroke and downstroke allows hummingbirds to generate aerodynamic lift force during both phases of their wingbeat to support their weight. We have developed a novel aerodynamic force platform to measure these aerodynamic lift forces noninvasively in vivo. By combining these wingbeat resolved forces with detailed 3D wing kinematics and applying an improved quasi-steady power model, new insight into how hummingbirds power their flight within a wingbeat are made, and muscle physiology consequences are determined. We also demonstrate our new method can be used to measure aerodynamic bodyweight support of voluntary participating hummingbirds freely fly into the setup to feed from an artificial flower. The new method is applicable to measure forces of flying animals and robots in general.
