Meeting Abstract
Multiple studies have examined how birds land on a perch, but birds can land on a number of different substrates and may employ different kinematic strategies based on substrate. One such substrate is water, which may require different landing behaviors due to the lack of the solidity of a perch or ground. To investigate landing mechanics of birds on water, we are examining the landing behavior of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), which typically land on the ground or water (with occasional apparent hydroplaning), but no longer retain a strong ability to land on a perch. Specifically, we study natural landings of ducks on a local pond in Blacksburg, VA. To record landings for three-dimensional analysis, we use 3 GoPro cameras recording at 4k resolution and 30 fps. The cameras are placed along the shore within a 10 meter radius, synchronized with a sound pulse, and calibrated using a 2.5m wand and easyWand software. To encourage birds to land in the area of interest, we use duck calls and cracked corn as incentives. This method allowed us to measure head position, velocity, and foot extension of mallards as they land on water, and to make comparisons with previous studies of landings on perches. The preliminary results suggest greater variation in the behavior of the mallards, which may be due to changes to in the landing substrate, but differences may also arise from environmental factors such as wind speed and direction. Gaining a greater understanding of how birds land on different substrates will allow us to explore which features of landing behavior may have stronger influences over the accuracy or reliability of the behavior. Supported by NSF MultiSTEPS 0966125 and Virginia Tech GRDP.
