the-BA : Birds in flight

Researchers at the University of Bath are imitating the flight of birds and insects to make a spy plane with flapping wings that’s the size of a bee! The researchers say the tiny planes will be able to send video footage of battlegrounds, land on enemy roofs, detect harmful substances and – on a less sinister note – help with wildlife surveys. The project will be tough though, as small aircraft are extremely vulnerable to high winds.

Have you ever wondered how birds take off and land?

You might like to …

• observe various species arriving at a bird table, using a video camera
• compare the way that a bird takes off or lands at a bird table, in a tree, on the ground, on water
• observe the wing movements of various species in flight using a video camera
• devise a means of observing a fledgling’s first flight and comparing it with an adult’s
• observe birds of prey, with and without carrion; does their performance differ from other birds?

Further links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird_flight

http://birding.about.com/

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