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Related Experiment Videos

Lift generation by the avian tail.

W J Maybury1, J M Rayner, L B Couldrick

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|July 17, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Bird tail lift is lower than predicted by aerodynamic models. Body-tail interactions significantly affect lift, suggesting current theories may underestimate optimal tail feather length for flight.

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Area of Science:

  • * Avian aerodynamics
  • * Bio-inspired engineering
  • * Fluid dynamics

Background:

  • * Understanding bird tail function is crucial for flight mechanics.
  • * Existing aerodynamic theories for lift generation are often applied to bird tails.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To measure lift generated by European starling tails across various spreads.
  • * To compare experimental results with predictions from aerodynamic models.
  • * To investigate the role of body-tail interactions in tail aerodynamics.

Main Methods:

  • * Wind tunnel experiments on mounted, frozen European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris).
  • * Measurements of lift at typical airspeeds and angles of attack.
  • * Flow visualization to study vortex dynamics.

Main Results:

  • * Measured tail lift was significantly lower than model predictions, except at minimal tail spreads.
  • * Tail lift coefficient was independent of tail spread, aspect ratio, and span.
  • * Flow visualization revealed body-shed vortices degrade tail lift in intact birds.

Conclusions:

  • * Current aerodynamic models do not reliably predict bird tail lift.
  • * Body-tail interactions critically influence tail aerodynamics.
  • * The aerodynamic optimum tail feather length may be underestimated by existing models.

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