Momentum and Energy in the Wake of a Pigeon (Columba Livia) in Slow Flight

A technique is described whereby the vortex wake of birds in slow forward flight may be investigated with a view towards testing some of the assumptions and predictions of existing theoretical models of bird flight. Multiflash stereophotogrammetry was used to analyse the wake as a pigeon passed through a cloud of neutrally-buoyant helium bubbles. All photographs obtained support the hypothesis that the wake is composed of a chain of discrete, small-cored vortex rings. This being the case, velocity profiles taken from sections through the wake allow us to estimate the momentum in the wake as represented by vortex rings. The momentum in the wake appears to be approximately half that required for weight support in unaccelerated, level flight. The possible causes and consequences of this paradoxical result are discussed.