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Energy cost of gliding flight in herring gulls

Nature volume 248, pages 83–84 (1974)Cite this article

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042

    R. V. BAUDINETTE

  2. Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27706

    K. SCHMIDT-NIELSEN

Authors
  1. R. V. BAUDINETTE
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  2. K. SCHMIDT-NIELSEN
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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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