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Journal of Experimental Biology 53,363-374 (1970)
Published by Company of Biologists 1970

Aerodynamics of Gliding Flight of a Black Vulture Coragyps Atratus

G. CHRISTIAN PARROTT 1

1 Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

1. A black vulture (mass = 1.79 kg) gliding freely in a wind tunnel adjusted its wing span and wing area as its air speed and glide angle changed from 9.9 to 16.8 m/s and from 4.8° to 7.9°, respectively.

2. The minimum sinking speed was 1.09 m/s at an air speed of 11.3 m/s.

3. The maximum ratio of lift to drag forces was 11.6 at an air speed of 13.9 m/s.

4. Parasite drag coefficients for the vulture are similar to those for conventional airfoils and do not support the contention that black vultures have unusually low values of parasite drag.

Submitted on April 20, 1970






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1970