Gliding flight in the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius): An electromyographic study

Electromyographic (EMG) activity was studied in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) gliding in a windtunnel tilted to 8 degrees below the horizontal. Muscle activity was observed in Mm. biceps brachii, triceps humeralis, supracoracoideus, and pectoralis, and was absent in M. deltoideus major and M. thoracobrachialis (region of M. pectoralis). These active muscles are believed to function in holding the wing protracted and extended during gliding flight. Quantification of the EMG signals showed a lower level of activity during gliding than during flapping flight, supporting the idea that gliding is a metabolically less expensive form of locomotion than flapping flight. Comparison with the pectoralis musculature of specialized gliding and soaring birds suggests that the deep layer of the pectoralis is indeed used during gliding flight and that the slow tonic fibers found in soaring birds such as vultures represents a specialization for endurant gliding. It is hypothesized that these slow fibers should be present in the wing muscles that these birds use for wing protraction and extension, in addition to the deep layer of the pectoralis. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.