"Ramapriya" wrote

Also, while the ways of performing a flare is mentioned at many places,
the reason for a flare is conspicuously absent everywhere. Just why is
a flare needed vis-a-vis a 3-point landing? After all, birds just come
in and sit, without having to flare...

The flare reduces the rate of descent for a smooth touchdown. Normal
rate of descent during approach is probably 500-800 fpm and one would
really like to touchdown at less than 100fpm. Of course, the flare
also keeps one from putting too much stress on the relatively weaker
nosewheel.

Note that jets landing on an aircraft carrier do not flare.

Bob Moore