Field Observation 1: ID and Flight Physiology

Date: February 20
Time: 10:30-12:00
Location: University Terrace, Burlington
Weather: Sunny, 25 degrees F.
Habitat: Urban trees - Norway maple and Norway spruce

The Black-capped Chickadee has a relatively fast wingbeat. To maintain flight in a straight line without losing elevation, it must continue constant flapping. Conversely, the American Crow has less frequent flaps. The American Crow can stop flapping and soar for a few seconds without losing elevation. The wings of a Black-capped Chickadee are very small. They are designed for tight maneuvering and short distance flying. They have a high aspect ratio. When the flight feathers are fully outstretched, there is an even greater aspect, and are almost elliptical in shape ratio. Since Black-capped Chickadees mainly occupy trees and will need to move from branch to branch, it is important that they can maneuver well in tight spaces. While observing the chickadees I saw today, they hardly took flight. When they did, it was a very short distance to an adjacent tree. They are not long distance flyers, and they do not migrate. The American Crow flies longer distanced than the Black-capped chickadee. In a given day, crows will travel relatively long distances (several miles). This is much further than the distance chickadees travel daily. Crows wing shape borders on elliptical and slotted, high lift. They cannot soar long distanced but are capable of gliding for several seconds without flapping and without losing elevation. Yesterday morning, the crow I saw in flight would alternate several flaps with a short distance of gliding.

Publicado el febrero 20, 2019 04:23 TARDE por