Unusual Mechanisms for the Generation of Lift in Flying Animals

Some birds and insects that hover cannot generate enough lift by means of standard aerodynamics. A close study of hovering shows that they employ two mechanisms that are best described as clap-fling and flip

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

00
Scientific American Magazine Vol 233 Issue 5This article was published with the title “Unusual Mechanisms for the Generation of Lift in Flying Animals” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 233 No. 5 (), p. 80
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican1175-80

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe