Aerodynamics of Birds' Flight

Avian flight has fascinated man from ancient times but is is only in recent years that the efforts of scientists from diverse fields have been able, to some extent, to understand and explain the dynamics of bird flight. Observations show an incredible diversity of flight techniques and manoeuvers. A general description of the main types of bird flight and some illustrations of wing shapes and the different motions of birds are given. A description of the structure and musculature of wings and feathers and elementary theories of flight and drag are also included. The article is nothing but a laborious collection of various information regarding the interesting topic of bird flight, which involve a deep knowledge of anatomy, biophysics, ornithology and aerodynamics. This complex subject is discussed here in a lucid manner so that even a reader unfamiliar with the subject can understand it easily.