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+--- Thread: Andean Condor glides for hours and kilometers (/showthread.php?tid=5177)
Andean Condor glides for hours and kilometers - Catherine - 07-15-2020
A study of Andean Condors found that they fly without flapping 99% of the time. Once they are in the air they glide on air currents and updrafts.
One bird was observed to glide for 5 hours and cover 160 kilometers. For a scavenger that needs to fly over the earth looking for carrion, the ability to glide with little energy expenditure is a big advantage. With a 3 meter wing span and a weigh of 15 kilos they are quite a presence in the sky.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/andean-condor-flapping-1.5648657
If they don't flap then they would be silent in their flight. All you would see is a shadow approaching. I have seen the condor, but I have never seen one fly.
It must be an amazing sight. It is hard to picture something so large just gliding on air currents. Nature is amazing.