07-15-2020, 03:43 PM
A study of Andean Condors found that they fly without flapping 99% of the time. Once they are in the air they glide on air currents and updrafts.
One bird was observed to glide for 5 hours and cover 160 kilometers. For a scavenger that needs to fly over the earth looking for carrion, the ability to glide with little energy expenditure is a big advantage. With a 3 meter wing span and a weigh of 15 kilos they are quite a presence in the sky.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/andea...-1.5648657
If they don't flap then they would be silent in their flight. All you would see is a shadow approaching. I have seen the condor, but I have never seen one fly.
It must be an amazing sight. It is hard to picture something so large just gliding on air currents. Nature is amazing.
One bird was observed to glide for 5 hours and cover 160 kilometers. For a scavenger that needs to fly over the earth looking for carrion, the ability to glide with little energy expenditure is a big advantage. With a 3 meter wing span and a weigh of 15 kilos they are quite a presence in the sky.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/andea...-1.5648657
If they don't flap then they would be silent in their flight. All you would see is a shadow approaching. I have seen the condor, but I have never seen one fly.
It must be an amazing sight. It is hard to picture something so large just gliding on air currents. Nature is amazing.