Locomotion of birds

Over many thousands of years, birds' front limbs have become specially adapted for flight. The wings, together with the feathers, are what allow a bird to fly. They provide the lift that is needed to get off the ground and move in the air. The bones of the wing are particularly strong and light, and they serve as an anchor for the feathers and for the powerful muscles and tendons needed for flight.

Each bird has a wing shape that is appropriate for its life pattern. For example, long narrow soaring wings are typical of birds (such as the albatross) that spend much of their life soaring along thermal winds. High-speed wings are useful for birds that travel at fast speeds, such as swallows. Eagles, falcons, and other raptors have high-lift wings that allow them to get off the ground even with a heavy weight in their talons. Elliptical wings are shaped like a half of an oval. This shape increases maneuverability in the air and allows birds to rapidly change direction in flight—a useful skill for songbirds, sparrows, and others that must avoid becoming another bird's dinner.

The speed at which a bird can fly varies greatly based on species and breed. As a general rule, the flight speed of birds varies from about 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour to about 50 miles (81 kilometers) per hour. Most birds will have 2 flight speeds, one for ordinary flight and a second accelerated speed they use for escaping predators and chasing other birds. The accelerated speed may be up to twice their normal flight speed. Small songbirds and perching birds will, in the wild, have a normal flight speed close to 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour. Larger birds in their original habitat will often reach 25 miles (40 kilometers) per hour. These flight speeds are for birds that have developed their flying skills over almost their entire lives and have strong flight muscles. In general, pet bird flight speeds are somewhat lower than those of the same species that have lived and flown in the wild. One exception to this general guideline is racing pigeons. Racing pigeons are raised and trained for speedy flight. These birds, also known as homing pigeons, can often cover 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour over extended distances.