MAY 15,
2019
Renowned
for their noiseless dive, the kingfisher's iconic beak-shape has inspired the
design of high speed bullet trains. Now scientists have tested beak-shape among
some of the birds' 114 species found world-wide, to assess which shape is the
most hydrodynamic.
Avian
biologist Dr. Kristen Crandell and third year undergraduate student, Rowan
Howe, of Bangor University, created 3-D printed models of the beak shapes of
several of the diving kingfisher species, at the University's Pontio Innovation
Centre.
Renowned
for their hydrodynamic splash and noise free dives, Kristen wanted to test the
kingfisher beaks in the lab, and has come up with a top 10 list when it comes
to the most efficient design. The lab tests measured
how the speed of entry changed as the models hit the water, and found evidence
that a longer, narrower shape was more efficient.
This also
relates to other diving species such as Gannets, renowned for pulling their
wings back and spearing the water with their whole body profile.
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