Has there been any study to determine the energy a bird spends in flying?

Question

If so, can this energy expenditure be extrapolated to determine the energy required to fly a single human being in a way similar to those of birds?

I'm curious to know if the energy required for such an endeavor would be higher than what is currently used by fixed wing planes.

Answer 1

The problem is, birds are necessarily light by design (hollow bones ), whereas jets are designed to haul heavy cargo ( humans, luggage, fuel, etc ) which are NOT light. So there's no real direct comparison to energy outputs necessary. Because a bird weighs way less than a jumbo jet, and a mosquito weighs way less than a bird, the energy requirements just keep shrinking. Heck, some spiders can throw a silk thread up and coast for many hundreds of miles with no energy output, and they have no wings! When your weight is fairly insubstantial compared to the air pressure of wind, and your cross-sectional body mass is pretty high, an insect is practically a kite.
Back to the bird...I'm sure there is some study somewhere, not that I'm directly familiar with. Birds and insects also have an advantage in that they don't build up toxins in their muscles when they fly, unlike humans, who get that lactose "burn" in the muscles, and must stop. Not to say birds don't get tired, but a human by comparison would probably have to stop quite frequently compared to a bird or insect. More mass, less efficient energy conversion, etc. Even if a human made huge outsized wings, to lift their mass, there wouldn't be the energy necessary to flap it for forward motion. On our scale, we're just too big, it seems, as are our aircraft. Don't know if you'll get a satisfactory answer to this one....
The Gremlin Guy

Answer 2

Aeronautical engineers assist you to grasp that the lead poultry has the main artwork to do. no person is in front of him so he has to conquer the air resistance on my own. those that stick to in a V shape have it slightly much less complicated in the event that they fly interior the "vortex" it relatively is created via the poultry in front. to that end the form of the V. ducks, ducks and all varieties of migratory birds fly that way. Marathon runners and race drivers have a version stated as drafting. comparable ingredient, it relatively is a organic thank you to stay away from wind resistance.

Answer 3

There has been significant study in miniature remote operated flying observation platforms that has replicated bird wings for maneuverability and hovering. They've even studied humming bird wing motion (circular). If you find a site involved in that research I'm sure you'll find your answer.

Answer 4

They have studied just about everything - doubt they missed this one. The gossamer albatross experiment talks about the energy a man used to power himself across the English Channel . Just google Gossamer Albatross and see if that helps.

Answer 5

I remember on discovery channel a long time ago, hearing that a Hummingbird needs only 3 grams of sugar to cross the atlantic. And they where comparing it too airplanes too.