Not all birds do as well. In particular I remember a TV Documentary
about the "gooney Birds" of Midway Island. They are Laysan Albatrosses
and appear to be a type of seagull. A lot of their behavior is amusing,
but in particular the part about young ones learning to fly. Suffice
it to say they make some of the most awful, ass-over-teakettle,
controlled crashes you ever saw. By trial and error, they eventually
get the hang of it, and make perfect touchdowns like you describe.

David Johnson