unclesallie
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Raptor Force Series PBSTonight 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
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Thanks for that Dan, birds are amazing creatures.
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Carolina
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Thanks, Dan! Good show for the family.
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Tools
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No wonder man has always tried to emulate birds of prey...
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uncle aj
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| Tools wrote: | | No wonder man has always tried to emulate birds of prey... |
Did you know, birds don't pee. 
As you get older, you wish you could emulate that. 
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Carolina
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They don't pee? What do they do - poop extra on my car??
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uncle aj
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| Carolina wrote: | | They don't pee? What do they do - poop extra on my car?? |
The guano that covers your car is a mixture of solid and liquid waste.
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Tools
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| uncle aj wrote: | | Carolina wrote: | | They don't pee? What do they do - poop extra on my car?? |
The guano that covers your car is a mixture of solid and liquid waste. |
Thank you for that delightful mental image Professor AJ.....
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uncle aj
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| Tools wrote: | | uncle aj wrote: | | Carolina wrote: | | They don't pee? What do they do - poop extra on my car?? |
The guano that covers your car is a mixture of solid and liquid waste. |
Thank you for that delightful mental image Professor AJ..... |
No problem.
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Lion
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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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uncle aj
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| Lion wrote: | All I know is I wish they would pick on someone else's car!!!
The silver color seems to attract them..... |
Here's a tip, "Don't park under trees."
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padi65
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| uncle aj wrote: | | Tools wrote: | | No wonder man has always tried to emulate birds of prey... |
Did you know, birds don't pee.
As you get older, you wish you could emulate that. |
Quite correct and in many case birds like raptors dont drink much water as they get all the liquid they need from there prey.
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padi65
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| Lion wrote: | All I know is I wish they would pick on someone else's car!!!
The silver color seems to attract them..... |
Afraid like the saying sh#t happens.
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Tools
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Good thing that cows can't fly...........
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uncle aj
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| Tools wrote: | | Good thing that cows can't fly........... |
It's bad enough with Canada geese.  
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Tools
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| uncle aj wrote: | | Tools wrote: | | Good thing that cows can't fly........... |
It's bad enough with Canada geese. |
Around here, you gotta' watch out for this guy......
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uncle aj
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| Tools wrote: | | uncle aj wrote: | | Tools wrote: | | Good thing that cows can't fly........... |
It's bad enough with Canada geese. |
Around here, you gotta' watch out for this guy......
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I can't see old Dumbo just a yellow sign.
Sorry, there he is. 
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Lion
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| uncle aj wrote: | | Lion wrote: | All I know is I wish they would pick on someone else's car!!!
The silver color seems to attract them..... |
Here's a tip, "Don't park under trees." |
It doesn't matter they find the car without trees around!!!
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DSJ
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I watched part of that show too - amazing! I especially liked the dynamic flying section with respect to vultures and us trying to recreate the ability with gliders!
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