Meeting Abstract

20.2  Friday, Jan. 4  The aerodynamics of flapping V formation flight PORTUGAL, S*; HUBEL, T; FRITZ, J; WILSON, A; USHERWOOD, J; ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, UK; ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE; WALDRAPPTEAM, AUSTRIA; ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE; ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE sportugal@rvc.ac.uk

The characteristic ‘V’ formation flight of birds has fascinated scientists for centuries. One of the main theories that has persisted to explain this distinctive V-formation is that birds are attempting to conserve energy by taking advantage of the upwash vortex fields created by the wings of the other birds within the flock. A fixed wing aerodynamic theory has traditionally been applied to understand V-formation flocking in birds, very much unlike that of the actual scenario of a flapping bird and wing. Previously, little consideration, either theoretically or empirically, has been possible concerning the effects of flapping on V-formation aerodynamics. Recent technological advances have now made it possible to explore factors of V-formation flapping flight for extended periods of time, in free-flying birds. Using high-frequency sampling GPS and accelerometer units, we will present data from two migratory flights of the critically endangered Waldrapp Ibis. This opportunity was made possible by human-led migrations taking place as part of a reintroduction scheme, whereby imprinted young ibis are taught to follow a microlight. These data allow us to investigate aspects of V-formation flocking previously not possible, in particular the temporal and spatial wing-beat phasing of flock members during flapping V-formation flight. Furthermore, it is possible to examine height differences between individual flock members, a feature predicted by aerodynamic theory but previously impossible to test in free-flying birds.