Light fantastic
All birds need to keep their weight down. A lightweight beak means that a bird can not chew. It can only pluck, crush, tear and rip. A bird also has fewer bones than a mammal - no tail bone, one wing bone, and a slim pelvis that is fused to the backbone. The bones are hollow, though they have a lattice of cross struts to keep them strong. The most remarkable weight-saving feature is its feathers, which have a very complex structure. They have hollow quills and filaments on either side of the quills that latch together like a zip and are easily repaired.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
大象传媒 Nature
Be captivated, informed and inspired by the world's wildlife.
More clips from The Mastery of Flight
-
Landing craft
Duration: 02:22
-
Air display
Duration: 01:28
-
Stationary view
Duration: 01:19
-
Aerodynamic albatross
Duration: 01:59
More clips from The Life of Birds
-
Weka Territory—To Fly or Not to Fly?
Duration: 01:08
-
Feet on the ground—To Fly or Not to Fly?
Duration: 00:51
-
Thirst quencher—The Limits of Endurance
Duration: 03:10
-
Food on the run—Meat-Eaters
Duration: 02:12