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This bird species can fly for months at a time without landing
mashable.com ^ | 2 JULY 2016 | ANDREW FREEDMAN

Posted on 07/02/2016 9:36:55 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT

A new study shows that frigatebirds routinely fly for months at a time without landing, skimming the sea surface only occasionally to catch floating prey. Previously, scientists thought these birds and another bird species, known as swift birds, only remained aloft for many days at a time... To stay aloft for so long, the study found, these birds use some of the same techniques that glider pilots do. They take advantage of upward-moving air underneath tropical cumulus clouds — the clouds that often look like popping popcorn kernels in the sky.

(Excerpt) Read more at mashable.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: birds; frigatebirds
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To: wrench
http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/topics/b_40_winks.htm It had been known for centuries that some sharks — such as nurse, wobbegong, angelsharks, and batoids such as skates and stingrays — spend most of their time lying motionless on the bottom actively pumping water over their gills. ... Clark speculates that the enhanced oxygen content may make breathing easier for the motionless sharks and may produce a narcotic effect the sharks enjoy.

also see: The Sleeping Sharks of Yucatan

21 posted on 07/02/2016 10:33:07 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (Looks like it's pretty hairy.)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

That was fun!


22 posted on 07/02/2016 10:36:38 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (Looks like it's pretty hairy.)
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To: Chipper
Lake Michigan

Tropical oceans, YES!...Lake Michigan, not so much!!!

WOW. Surprised that the Michigan coast didn't sink, from all of the birders want a view! WOW

23 posted on 07/02/2016 10:44:11 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (Looks like it's pretty hairy.)
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To: boycott

NICE FIND! Thank you!
“The birds are able to glide so well, the team notes, because they have the least amount of body weight distributed over the total area of their wings of any bird. They also suggested the birds might actually sleep for just minutes at a time as they are carried effortlessly up into clouds.”

http://phys.org/news/2016-07-great-frigate-birds-months.html#jCp


24 posted on 07/02/2016 10:52:18 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (Looks like it's pretty hairy.)
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To: lee martell

Take a quick down at #21.


25 posted on 07/02/2016 10:54:44 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (Looks like it's pretty hairy.)
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To: nralife
as the climate warms in response to human-caused global warming and atmospheric circulation is altered, frigatebirds may have different flight paths in the future

Unfortunately that is something they have to put into most studies these days in order to get funding.

26 posted on 07/02/2016 11:00:20 AM PDT by Vince Ferrer
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Friggin’ Birds!


27 posted on 07/02/2016 11:02:45 AM PDT by headstamp 2 (Fear is the mind killer.)
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To: exDemMom

“The most interesting part of this story was left out—how do these birds sleep?”

On a feather pillow.

Bada bing!


28 posted on 07/02/2016 11:04:43 AM PDT by headstamp 2 (Fear is the mind killer.)
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To: headstamp 2

And I just saw two large men walk by, with a giant hook!!!


29 posted on 07/02/2016 11:13:27 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (Looks like it's pretty hairy.)
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To: Tijeras_Slim
I guess before glider pilots taught them, they walked a lot.

Reminds me of one I heard the other day about how thrilled the Barn Owl must have been when the first barn was built.

30 posted on 07/02/2016 11:22:14 AM PDT by keat
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Yes correct..I dint gradgeate


31 posted on 07/02/2016 11:43:45 AM PDT by CGASMIA68
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To: keat

thats funny


32 posted on 07/02/2016 11:45:21 AM PDT by CGASMIA68
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To: lee martell

Water has to move over their gills. Motion works best.


33 posted on 07/02/2016 11:47:34 AM PDT by wrench
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To: DUMBGRUNT

There surely are a lot of FReeperBirders. I have concluded that before God created man, He blessed the creatures of the earth with phenomenal gifts, especially birds. He did give humans brainpower - perhaps to compensate for the lack of other natural attributes, such as deep water swimming, land speed and of course, flight. Wouldn’t it be great if we humans could fly?


34 posted on 07/02/2016 12:11:46 PM PDT by sodpoodle (Life is prickly - carry tweezers.)
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To: Timpanagos1

LOL! Good one!


35 posted on 07/02/2016 12:18:16 PM PDT by Tallguy
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To: Timpanagos1
“The birds, as if preprogrammed with a particular flight plan,

....will unleash their poops on a group of GI's standing in their truck maintenance area on an island in Panama.............LOL!

Caught one of their assaults on my cap.......

36 posted on 07/02/2016 12:23:41 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (Hillary and whoever = one big bowl of stupid!)
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To: keat

I’m stealing that one!


37 posted on 07/02/2016 1:06:42 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: CGASMIA68

these birds use some of the same techniques that glider pilots do
= = =

Glider pilots use the same techniques that these birds do.

Let’s get God back in His creative perspective.


38 posted on 07/02/2016 1:26:43 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (As always, /s is implicitly assumed. Unless explicitly labled /not s. Saves keystrokes.)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

When they Land it is Funny! They don’t call them Goonie Birds for nuthin


39 posted on 07/02/2016 3:03:37 PM PDT by TexasTransplant (Idiocracy used to just be a Movie... Live every day as your last...one day you will be right)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

I assume that the male and female birds are all members of the mile high club? If you are confused....ask any pilot.


40 posted on 07/02/2016 3:18:47 PM PDT by mosaicwolf (Strength and Honor)
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