In a remarkable feat of flight, the Andean condor holds the record for the longest flight without flapping its wings. This massive vulture, found in the Andes, can weigh up to 15 kg and has a wingspan of up to 3.2 meters. Due to their weight, these birds rely on air currents to move through the sky.
A study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2020 monitored eight Andean condors for five years, fitting them with GPS devices and devices to record wing beats. The study found that these birds only flap their wings about 1% of their flight time, setting them apart from seagulls, which flap their wings much more frequently during flight.
The majority of wing flapping by the Andean condors in this study occurred during takeoff, with over 75% of flapping happening during this phase. The rest of the time, they utilize wind and air currents to soar through the sky without flapping their wings. One bird even flew for five hours without flapping its wings, covering a distance of 172 km.
Weather conditions do not significantly impact the wing flapping of Andean condors as they are able to make decisions about when and where to land in order to conserve energy. The study also found that even immature birds are capable of flying long distances without flapping their wings. This behavior showcases the remarkable abilities of the Andean condor in utilizing air currents to glide effortlessly through the sky.
Overall, this new information highlights how adaptive nature allows some species like Andean condor can use nature elements like wind and air currents to travel great distances with less energy consumption than others do.
