1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910451636003321

Autore

Videler John J

Titolo

Avian flight [[electronic resource] /] / John J. Videler

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Oxford ; ; New York, : Oxford University Press, 2005

ISBN

1-280-75401-X

9786610754014

0-19-152414-X

1-4237-8660-2

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (275 p.)

Collana

Oxford ornithology series ; ; 14

Disciplina

573.79818

Soggetti

Birds - Flight

Electronic books.

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. [235]-251) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Contents; 1 Acquisition of knowledge; 2 The flight apparatus; 3 Feathers for flight; 4 Aerodynamics; 5 Evolution of bird flight; 6 Bird flight modes; 7 The bird flight engine; 8 Energy required for flight; 9 Comparing the metabolic costs of flight; Appendix 1; Appendix 2; Appendix 3; References; Index

Sommario/riassunto

Bird flight has always intrigued mankind. This book provides an up-to-date account of our existing knowledge on the subject, offering new insights and challenging some established views. A brief history of the science of flight introduces the basic physical principles governing aerial locomotion. This is followed by a treatment of flight-related functional morphology, concentrating on the difference in shape of the arm and hand part of the wings, on the structure and function of tails, and on the shape of the body. The anatomy and mechanical properties of feathers receive special attention. Ae