Re: [dinosaur] Archaeopteryx had active flapping flight ability based on wing bone geometry (free pdf)

[Ruben Safir <ruben@mrbrklyn.com>]

On 03/13/2018 11:29 PM, Tim Williams wrote:
> Vertical take-offs are initiated by the hindlimbs in extant
> birds (Earls 2000 JEB 203: 725-739), and it's likely that
> _Archaeopteryx_ was capable of the same (leaping into the air, with no
> need for a running take-off; Dececchi et al. 2016 DOI
> 10.7717/peerj.2159). The wings are deployed for the climb-out phase of
> the launch, and a modern avian flight stroke is not essential for this
> - just large wings capable of thrust generation.

Without the lift from the wing stroke the bird just lands on its face
and the separation of these two aspects of launch that you make here is
illogical.  Furthermore, despite what Earls says, I recommend you walk
out to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn and watch how Swans and Ducks actually
get into the air.  Swans are not leaping into the air and then taking
off on winged power.  They 100% depend on building air speed with a
combination of flight stroke and running on the water.  Without a
sternum to anchor chest muscles, that is going to be more true, not
less.  Flight stroke IS 100% essential.  Maybe there is someones next
research paper.