Recently, researchers atSwansea Universitycollaborated with scientists in Argentina to study the flight of Andean condors in their habitat.
As it turns out, Andean condors spend precious little time and energy flapping their wings.
During the birds' time in the air, less than one percent was spent flapping.
Photo: Facundo Vital
Most flapping occurred during takeoff or flying close to the ground.
These surprising statisticspublished in theProceedings of the National Academy of Scienceshave some big implications.
Researchers note with interest that the young birds they studied could be very efficient at soaring through the skies.
Photo: Àlvaro Moya Riffo
One airborne condor did not flap its wings for over five hours, gliding more than 100 miles.
For more on Andean condors and their status as a near-threatened species, check out theNational Aviary webpage.
Photo: Ignazi Gonzalo
Photo:jmarti20
