Data from: Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air

When using this dataset, please cite the original article.

Sherub S, Bohrer G, Wikelski M, Weinzierl R (2016) Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air. Biology Letters 20160432. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2016.0432

Additionally, please cite the Movebank data package:

Sherub S, Wikelski M, Fiedler W, Davidson SC (2016) Data from: Behavioural adaptations to flight into thin air. Movebank Data Repository. doi:10.5441/001/1.143v2p2k
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Package Identifier doi:10.5441/001/1.143v2p2k  
 
Abstract Soaring raptors can fly at high altitudes of up to 9000 m. The behavioural adjustments to high-altitude flights are largely unknown. We studied thermal- ling flights of Himalayan vultures (Gyps himalayensis) from 50 to 6500 m above sea level, a twofold range of air densities. To create the necessary lift to support the same weight and maintain soaring flight in thin air birds might modify lift coefficient by biophysical changes, such as wing posture and increasing the power expenditure. Alternatively, they can change their flight characteristics. We show that vultures use the latter and increase circle radius by 35% and airspeed by 21% over their flight altitude range. These simple behavioural adjustments enable vultures to move seamlessly during their annual migrations over the Himalaya without increasing energy output to flight in high elevations.
Keywords aerodynamic, animal movement, animal tracking, avian migration, Env-DATA, GSM telemetry, Gyps himalayensis, Himalayan vulture, Movebank, non-powered flight, thermalling,
High-altitude flights of Himalayan vultures (data from Sherub et al. 2016).csv View File Details
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High-altitude flights of Himalayan vultures (data from Sherub et al. 2016)-reference-data View File Details
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Download: High-altitude flights of Himalayan vultures (data from Sherub et al. 2016)-reference-data.csv ( 10.16Kb )
To the extent possible under law, the authors have waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this data.  


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