Migrating bird's wings trade speed for agility

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterI swear by this one: anything that travels thousands of miles has to be a perfect flying machine, no flaws, pure engineering, like my carry-on with the four spinner wheels!

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorScientists looked at the European nightjar, which migrates each year between Europe and southern Africa.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe study was led by Lund University and published in PLOS Biology, Phys.org reports.

4. 

   Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterSouthern Africa! I assume the bird's out of office says: back in spring, please don't email, I'm in a wind tunnel.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThey put the birds in a wind tunnel, recorded them at different speeds, and measured the airflow.

6. 

   Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterThe tunnel was probably loud, and I would have brought snacks.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe wings have broad tips that help with slow flight.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLund University says they lose efficiency as the bird speeds up, so the bird gives up fast flying to hunt insects with agility.

9. 

   Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterSo it's built to be slow. I have never felt so seen by a bird.

10. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe researcher, Christoffer Johansson, said this runs counter to the image of a long-distance migrant as a perfectly optimized flying machine.

11. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the ruling is myth.

12. 

    Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterFine, new belief: I'm not late to everything, I have broad wingtips and I'm built for slow flying and long distance!