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FIG 4.56 Sequence of a bird landing
on the ground.
As a bird approaches the ground, its body is held upright with the legs
extended downward in preparation for contact with the ground. The
downbeats of the wings become rapid and are intended to reduce the speed
of the fall. Once the bird is on the ground, the legs bend at the joints, the
wings are quickly folded, and the body moves to a more horizontal angle.
Landing on water offers a simpler and somewhat less critical solution, though
one that is not available to all birds. Swans use a body of water to land on with
their feet thrust forward, rather like water skiers, to take the remaining energy
out of the forward momentum. Albatrosses land on the ground in a rather less
elegant manner that resembles something akin to a crash landing.
FIG 4.57 Large water birds use the
qualities of water to assist in landing.
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