Migratory birds minimise energy consumption by using different
"flight techniques". Albatrosses are also observed to have such a
flight style. These birds, which spend 92% of their lives on the sea, have wing spans of
up to 3,5 meters. The most important characteristic of albatrosses
is their flight style: they can fly for hours without beating their wings at all. To do
so, they glide along in the air keeping their wings constant by making use of the wind.
It requires a great deal of energy to keep wings with a wing
span of 3.5 meters constantly open. Albatrosses, however, can stay
in this position for hours. This is due to the special anatomical system they are bestowed
with from the moment of their birth. During flight, the wings of the albatross are
blocked. Therefore, it does not need to use any muscular power. Wings are lifted only by
muscle layers. This greatly helps the bird during its flight. This system reduces the
energy consumed by the bird during flight. The albatross does not use energy because it
does not beat its wings or waste energy to keep its wings outstretched. Flying for hours
by making exclusive use of wind provides an unlimited energy source for it. For
instance, a 10-kilo-albatross loses only 1% of its body weight while it travels for 1,000
kms. This is indeed a very small rate. Men have manufactured gliders
taking albatrosses as a model and by making use of their fascinating flight technique.