How Small Birds Make Fast Turns: Effect of Bird Body and Wing Morphologies on Maneuverability

Due to the complexity of aerial locomotion, little is known about the aerodynamic coupling between flight morphology and efficiency. In this study, we aim to investigate avian flight by taking 3D scans of wings and bodies of diverse birds and 3D-printing physical replicas with reduced wingspan and wing area. Then we performed wind tunnel experiments on each of the printed wings, varying the angle of attack, and recording the lift force, drag force and torque. Taking into account parameters, such as body mass, center of mass, center of force, we calculated the moment of inertia at a given torque acting on the wings. Although we assume homoscedasticity, these results can provide us with information about flight maneuverability, i.e., the ability to make quick turns with small turn radii. A future study could use these results to compare maneuverability by phylogeny, age, sex, migration behavior/distance, energetic cost, and ecological variables including habitat.