Last week I discussed theories on the speed at which birds fly. This week I’m going to touch on how birds are the inspiration for aircraft design. The Swift adapts the shape of its wings to fit the circumstances in which it finds itself. So for example, when it wants to chase something it will fold its wings back to gain speed. If it wants to sleep, it will stretch its wings out.

How does this relate to aircrafts? Through studying the way Swifts can adapt their wings to suit their situation, it helps those who develop airplanes determine what the next steps in aircraft design should be. A Swift can improve their speed by up to three times just by changing their wings. This is known as wing morphing.

Some interesting findings of a European research team shows that when diving for something like insects, the swift must sweep back their wings as the load on their wings can easily reach much more than their own body weight. If they didn’t do that they could potentially break their wings. Also, at night, Swifts let air blow past their swings which allows them to glide versus flapping, therefore using less energy.

Through the studying of the Swifts scientists found that for flying the fastest, it is best when wings are swept back. And they are also good for fast and tight turns. This research has proved to be so valuable that NASA developed a plane based on these theories. This so-called “morphing-wing” plane imitates the flight style of birds. The cameras that are on it help researchers and engineers determine how they can make the most efficient planes.



Some interesting facts about Swifts are that they do not ever land unless forced to do so. Mostly they sleep hovering 5 feet above ground. If they do land, they cannot take off again without the aid of a kind person giving them a lift. Not only do Swifts sleep in the air, they mate in the air as well. They only land to lay eggs. Their nests are actually made in the crevices of cliffs.