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Re: flight beginnings



Check out Dyke et al. 2013.  DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3489

I like the idea of gliding in terrestrial theropods that
opportunistically foraged in trees, and used aerial locomotion to
return to terra firma.  No thrust needed, nor even an extensive glide
path.  Just maneuverability and orientational control during the
descent.  (No need for a perching foot either.)

It may not be a coincidence that in some of these maniraptorans the
proportions of the third toe are similar to those of the modern kakapo
(_Strigops_), a flightless ground-dwelling parrot that climbs tree
trunks and uses its wings to return to the ground.

On Tue, Mar 24, 2015 at 3:04 AM, Richard W. Travsky <rtravsky@uwyo.edu> wrote:
> On 3/22/2015 10:25 PM, Tim Williams wrote:
>>
>> ...
>>
>>
>> My favored hypothesis is that the first birds (and their maniraptoran
>> kin) used their feathered forelimbs for control during brief descents,
>> rather than for ascents (which require thrust, as well as lift).
>
>
> Do you mean by providing a cushion of air?
>
>> ...