Nature's Flyers Birds, Insects, and the Biomechanics of Flight

About this book

David E. Alexander's fascination with the many animals and plants that have harnessed the air is evident in Nature's Flyers: Birds, Insects, and the Biomechanics of Flight, a detailed account of our current scientific understanding of the primary aspects of flight in nature.

Instead of relying on elaborate mathematical equations, Alexander explains the physical basis of flight with sharp prose and clear diagrams. Drawing upon bats, birds, insects, pterosaurs, and even winged seeds, he details the basic operating principles of wings and then moves progressively through more complex modes of animal flight, including gliding, flapping, and maneuvering. In addition to summarizing the latest thinking about flight's energy costs, Alexander presents a holistic view of flight and its ramifications as he explores the ecology and evolution of flying animals, addressing behaviourally important topics such as migration and navigation. With somewhat surprising answers, the author then concludes his study by examining the extent to which natural flight has been inspiring or instructive for the architects of human flight – airplane designers and engineers.

Contents

Foreword by Steven Vogel
Preface
1. Introduction
2. How Wings Work
3. Gliding and Soaring
4. Flapping and Hovering
5. Staying on Course and Changing Direction
6. Fueling Flight
7. Evolving Flyers
8. Migrating

Customer Reviews

Biography

David E. Alexander is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kansas.