Nightjar wings reveal a trade-off between hunting slowly and traveling far
The European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a nocturnal migratory bird that travels between Europe and southern Africa each year.
The European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a nocturnal migratory bird that travels between Europe and southern Africa each year.
The short version
- However, its wings are not only used for long-distance journeys.
- When hunting insects, the nightjar must be able to slow down, turn sharply and fly at low speeds.
- Researchers at Lund University have now shown how this trade-off is reflected in the bird's flight mechanics.
What happened
The study is published in the journal PLOS Biology. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies .
Why it matters
Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) is a nocturnal migratory bird that travels between Europe and southern Africa each year.
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