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#31
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Which bird thermals the best?
I came across another contender this week for best thermalling bird,
although not really a bird... more an extinct flying reptile. Apparently the Quetzalcoatlus (largest of the pterosaurs) might have been quite the efficient soarer, with a 10m+ wingspan. Here's the article: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%...l.pone.0013982. Figure 2 is the most relevant for this discussion, with a nice two-by- two diagram mapping bird and pterosaur species based on their aspect ratios and wing loadings. The theorized launch method was potentially quite unique as well (quadrapedal launch), although not likely to replace the aerotow or winch launch. There's a video recreation with this story: http://news.sciencemag.org/scienceno...rs.html?ref=hp Coincidentally, there even happens to be a photographic depiction of an attempt to thermal with Quetzalcoatlus (http://tv.sky.com/3d- attenborough-doc-to-debut-this-xmas). I think by the look on Sir David Attenborough's face he must have been wishing the giant reptile were FLARM equipped. |
#32
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Which bird thermals the best?
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 |
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