This is where wing flapping comes in, forcing wind to glide over the interlocking barbules of a feather. Birds can decrease the amount of lift exerted by reshaping their wings into a downward V, called a negative dihedral. When both wings are pointed upward in a V, this is referred to as a positive dihedral.

Do birds have aerodynamic bodies?

The fundamentals of bird flight are similar to those of aircraft, in which the aerodynamic forces sustaining flight are lift and drag. ... The streamlining of bird's body and wings reduces these forces.

What type of wings do birds have?

There are four general wing shapes that are common in birds: Passive soaring, active soaring, elliptical wings, and high-speed wings. feathers that spread out, creating "slots" that allow the bird to catch vertical columns of hot air called "thermals" and rise higher in the air.