Research Reveals Soaring Birds Conserve Vast Energy
A new study compares the flight efficiency of soaring birds and flapping species using over a decade of tracking data.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Bird Watching
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International researchers have quantified the energy efficiency of avian flight by tracking 38 species over 17 years. The study reveals that soaring birds like the Andean condor utilize natural air currents to save significant energy compared to flapping species.
Why it matters
Understanding flight efficiency helps explain how avian species navigate large distances while conserving essential metabolic energy. This research provides a new framework for evaluating the energetic costs of movement across diverse animal species.
Andean condors flap their wings for only 0.1% of their flight time, whereas trumpeter swans flap for approximately 99% of their journey. A bird weighing 11 kilograms requires one-fifth of the energy when utilizing natural air currents compared to active flapping.
The players
University of Haifa
This institution served as the academic home for the lead researchers conducting the study on avian energy efficiency.
The details
Scientists from the University of Haifa analyzed 128,000 flight-days from 850 individual birds and bats to reach these conclusions. By combining long-term GPS and radar data with energy consumption models, the team determined that larger birds minimize wing flapping relative to their body weight.
Timeline
GPS and accelerometer data collection occurred over 17 years.
Radar observations were conducted over 4 years.
Culture Shift
This study marks a departure from traditional observational ecology by leveraging massive longitudinal data sets to quantify energy expenditure. It reflects a broader movement toward using GPS and radar technology to map the hidden energetic costs of wildlife migration.
Bird enthusiasts and hobbyists can gain a deeper appreciation for the energy-saving tactics employed by local bird species when observing flight patterns. This knowledge may inform better identification of soaring birds versus those that rely on continuous wing flapping during observation.
The takeaway
Bird watchers can better estimate the physical toll of migration by observing whether a bird utilizes soaring or flapping flight. Watching for the use of thermals can reveal how different species prioritize energy conservation during long-distance travel.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in avian behavior at Bird Watching.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ynetnews.
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