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Article

Swifts Form V-Shaped Wings While Dipping in Water to Fine-Tune Balance

1
School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
2
School of Advanced Manufacturing, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
3
Key & Core Technology Innovation Institute of the Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou 510535, China
4
State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biomimetics 2024, 9(8), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9080457
Submission received: 31 May 2024 / Revised: 21 July 2024 / Accepted: 24 July 2024 / Published: 26 July 2024

Abstract

Swifts, a distinctive avian cohort, have garnered widespread attention owing to their exceptional flight agility. While their aerial prowess is well documented, the challenge swifts encounter while imbibing water introduces an intriguing complexity. The act of water uptake potentially disrupts their flight equilibrium, yet the mechanisms enabling these birds to maintain stability during this process remain enigmatic. In this study, we employed high-speed videography to observe swifts’ water-drinking behavior. Notably, we observed that the swift adopts a dynamic V-shaped wing configuration during water immersion with the ability to modulate the V-shaped angle, thereby potentially fine-tuning their balance. To delve deeper, we utilized a three-dimensional laser scanner to meticulously construct a virtual 3D model of swifts, followed by computational fluid dynamics simulations to quantitatively assess the mechanical conditions during foraging. Our model indicates that the adoption of V-shaped wings, with a variable wing angle ranging from 30 to 60 degrees, serves to minimize residual torque, effectively mitigating potential flight instability. These findings not only enhance our comprehension of swifts’ flight adaptability but also hold promise for inspiring innovative, highly maneuverable next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles. This research thus transcends avian biology, offering valuable insights for engineering and aeronautics.
Keywords: swift; water dipping; wing morphing; motion stability swift; water dipping; wing morphing; motion stability

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MDPI and ACS Style

Cui, S.; Peng, Z.; Yang, H.; Liu, H.; Liu, Y.; Wu, J. Swifts Form V-Shaped Wings While Dipping in Water to Fine-Tune Balance. Biomimetics 2024, 9, 457. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9080457

AMA Style

Cui S, Peng Z, Yang H, Liu H, Liu Y, Wu J. Swifts Form V-Shaped Wings While Dipping in Water to Fine-Tune Balance. Biomimetics. 2024; 9(8):457. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9080457

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cui, Shuangwei, Zhongjun Peng, Hua Yang, Hao Liu, Yang Liu, and Jianing Wu. 2024. "Swifts Form V-Shaped Wings While Dipping in Water to Fine-Tune Balance" Biomimetics 9, no. 8: 457. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9080457

APA Style

Cui, S., Peng, Z., Yang, H., Liu, H., Liu, Y., & Wu, J. (2024). Swifts Form V-Shaped Wings While Dipping in Water to Fine-Tune Balance. Biomimetics, 9(8), 457. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9080457

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