Movement/Flight

Jake Stever
Sat. Feb. 20, 2021
Along Little Cattawissa Creek
Cold; Clear; 25 Degree F; Occasional brisk wind
6:25-8:10
I chose the Winter Wren and Black-capped Chickadee because they are very compatible in size, but use their wings much differently. Chickadees fly in their signature suspended style. I believe this is one of the many reasons people love them. There is something attractive about the way they tuck their wings after a few flaps and hurl forward. Combined with impressive abrupt stalls and pull ups, this style must offer the Chickadee and aerodynamic advantage. An advantage to tucking their wings is a reduction in potential drag brought on by their relatively large elliptical wings.
The Winter Wren used its wings more as a jump booster. As the individual weaved and searched through thickets along a steep stream bank it gave one or two flaps and then stalled to land. The wren has noticeably longed legs then the Chickadee, allowing for powerful jumps. The shorter relative nature of the wing, and subsequently smaller surface area, cause Winter Wrens to rely on continuous flapping to gain significant lift.
It's interesting that though the two are very similar in size and build they utilize different stroke styles based on their habitat and relative wing size.

Julkaistu helmikuu 20, 2021 03:49 IP. käyttäjältä stver_j