Which bird thermals the best?

On 11/15/2010 8:50 AM, Mike the Strike wrote:
Turkey Vultures...Snip...typically don't soar very high because they eat
carrion,

Which reminds me...why don't we see Turkey Vultures on commercial airliners
much anymore?
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Wait for it...
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Too many restrictions on carrion luggage!!!



Please...no need to thank me.

On Nov 15, 9:24*am, Bob Whelan wrote:
On 11/15/2010 8:50 AM, Mike the Strike wrote:

Turkey Vultures...Snip...typically don't soar very high because they eat
carrion,

Which reminds me...why don't we see Turkey Vultures on commercial airliners
much anymore?
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Wait for it...
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Too many restrictions on carrion luggage!!!

Please...no need to thank me.

Oh, MY, DOG! Yer' KILLIN' me!
Good one Bob

One obvious master of the master class has not yet been
mentioned: the Frigate Bird.

I have seen them soaring over water on calm days, seen them
wings tucked forward and gliding well into a 35 knt wind. They are
on the wing all day, mate on the wing, not only are they the best
soaring birds by a LONG way, they have by far the best l/d. Just
look at their wing form - they are all about aspect ratio and going
places.

They not only out-soar all other forms of soaring birds, but steal
their food from them as well! (hence the name, also called Man o'
War birds).

Incidentally, having glid with pelligoons many times in the
Caribbean, I can vouch that pelicans and hang gliders have about
the same l/d and sink rate. However, they are much better at
diving into water, although I did try that once, but it is a hard way
to make a living.

anyway, Frigate birds rule!

bwBB

One obvious master of the master class has not yet been
mentioned: *the Frigate Bird.

They not only out-soar all other forms of soaring birds, but steal
their food from them as well! (hence the name, also called Man o'
War birds).

Well, another obvious bird not mentioned is the Albatross, which has
the highest aspect of all birds (higher aspect then Frigatebirds,
which hold the title for the lowest span loading, no doubt
contributing to their ninja-like agility...). Sorry Frigates, but the
Alby is the true unequivocal champion of *soaring, although in spirit
of the OP's question, the Frigatebird may out perform it in a
thermal ... Albatross circumnavigate the globe though, no doubt
expertly working thermals the rare occasions they're available, but
mostly use orthographic and different of modes of dynamic soaring (as
do Frigatebirds) for their constant open water X/C trips, living life
'on the wing' stopping only to raise chicks from time to time.

Frigatebirds are indeed amazing, and are definitely beautiful birds to
share the air with as well as to watch from the ground. So far I have
only soared with Frigatebirds, (Hawaii), but very much look forward to
the day I share the air with an Alby... (not the bronze statue,
although that'd be swell too

They're both Peligoonformes though

-Paul

On Nov 15, 7:29*pm, sisu1a wrote:
One obvious master of the master class has not yet been
mentioned: *the Frigate Bird.
They not only out-soar all other forms of soaring birds, but steal
their food from them as well! (hence the name, also called Man o'
War birds).

Well, another obvious bird not mentioned is the Albatross, which has
the highest aspect of all birds (higher aspect then Frigatebirds,
which hold the title for the lowest span loading, no doubt
contributing to their ninja-like agility...). Sorry Frigates, but the
Alby is the true unequivocal champion of *soaring, although in spirit
of the OP's question, the Frigatebird may out perform it in a
thermal ... Albatross circumnavigate the globe though, no doubt
expertly working thermals the rare occasions they're available, but
mostly use orthographic and different of modes of dynamic soaring (as
do Frigatebirds) for their constant open water X/C trips, living life
'on the wing' stopping only to raise chicks from time to time.

Frigatebirds are indeed amazing, and are definitely beautiful birds to
share the air with as well as to watch from the ground. So far I have
only soared with Frigatebirds, (Hawaii), but very much look forward to
the day I share the air with an Alby... (not the bronze statue,
although that'd be swell too

They're both Peligoonformes though

-Paul

I've not seen too many frigate birds or albatrosses in Arizona. Maybe
they are ill equipped to survive on a diet of lizards and pack rats!

Mike

sisu1a wrote:
Well, another obvious bird not mentioned is the Albatross, which has

The original question was about birds to be useful markers for soaring.
I'm not sure I would want to try and follow an albatross and cross the
oceans with dynamic soaring a few feet above the water...

I have to vote for the Sandhill Cranes also. If for no other reason
that their flocks are so large, and they seem to thermal in the same
direction, that they can form the outline of the thermal. Very cool
to see and a pretty bird to boot.

Turkey vultures I have seen ridge soaring at Devil's Lake in
Wisconsin. But not a good looking bird.

Then again being land locked we don't see many frigate birds,
albatrosses, etc, etc,

- John DeRosa