Hovering Flight in the Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula Hypoleuca)

Abstract

Slow-motion films (200 frames/sec) taken in the field on a freely hovering pied flycathcer, Ficedula hypoleuca (Pallas), are used for description of the kinematics and for calculation of an average coefficient of lift, $${{\bar{C}}_{L}}$$ , in hovering flight. Using Weis-Fogh's (1972) equations for steady-state aerodynamics, and assuming that the upstroke gives no useful forces, the average lift coefficient is estimated to be about 5. 3. Since this high value of $${{\bar{C}}_{L}}$$ is not consistent with steady-state aerodynamics, non-steady-state phenomena must be of large importance.