Raptor Force Series PBS

unclesallie · Old hand Status: Dan Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 135

Tonight I watched the most amazing television program about birds I have ever seen. It is about raptors.

Some facts on this incredible show, in which bird scientists place a 2.7 ounce camera, transmitter and lens on the backs of raptors as they dive:

a) an F22(called The Raptor) pilot reaches up to 9 G Forces; a peregrine falcon in its dive reaches up to 22 G's.

b) the Perregrine Falcon has a nictitating membrane, extra viscous tears and tiny combs around its nostrils to improve its speed.

c) The Harpye Eagle, a giant of a bird, flies at high speed through the rain forest by its ability to rock its wings, and amazing maneuverability of its tail

d) NASA is testing a 'morphing wing' based upon the Perregine Falcon.

e) A Perregrine Falcon dives at speeds up to 200 mph.

f) A Perregrine can travel 1000 miles without stopping; an Osprey 400 miles without a stop

g) The ears of Great Grey Owls are set in its skull at different heights to allow greater acuity in hearing permitting it to zero in on prey; it's feather arrangements on the front and back of its wings designed to promote stealth flight(as well as the feathers on its body)...it is the quietest flyer of all birds of prey

h) The F-117 'stealth technology' is based upon raptor observations

i) Raptors can keep their prey in focus at high speed flight. For example, the Kestrel's eyes lock, and its body moves...also the Kestrel sees into the ultraviolet spectrum, being able to detect its prey by color changes while it attacks at high speed.

j) Perregrine Falcons fly an attack pattern which resembles a corkscrew, keeping their head straight and eyes locked on the prey, and although the attack path is longer, their speed is higher enabling them to reach their prey more quickly than if they flew a straight line to their target.

k) When the Perregrine is close to its prey it is able to switch on stereo vision, and raptors have acuity 3 times that of human eyes....enabled because they have no blood vessels which reduce light reaching their retinas as do human eyes.

l) Raptors' eye muscles are faster than those of humans

m) Raptors use strategy to attack: i) with humans 2) Harris' Hawks form a totem pole upon one another....some leave the totem pole and flush the prey while others wait to finish it off.

n) the Perregrine in its air to air attack is like an air to air missile, actually pushing the prey in mid flight.

I highly recommend this show to anyone interested in flight, birds, birds of prey, and combat aviation. Amazing. Five Stars!!

You may be able to order a copy through Public Broadcasting System.

Enjoy!

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uncle aj · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:28 am Post subject:

Thanks for that Dan, birds are amazing creatures.

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It wasn't a dress!!

Carolina · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Dan! Good show for the family.

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#42

Still looking for my marbles...

Tools · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:16 pm Post subject:

No wonder man has always tried to emulate birds of prey...

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uncle aj · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject:

Carolina · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

They don't pee? What do they do - poop extra on my car??

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#42

Still looking for my marbles...

uncle aj · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

Tools · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

uncle aj · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject:

Lion · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:29 am Post subject:

All I know is I wish they would pick on someone else's car!!!
The silver color seems to attract them.....
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Life is not a dress rehearsal!!!

uncle aj · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:36 am Post subject:

padi65 · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:23 am Post subject:

padi65 · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:24 am Post subject:

Tools · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:08 pm Post subject:

Good thing that cows can't fly...........

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uncle aj · Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject: