Wingtips – shape and significance

Abstract

Flight performance of birds and insects is closely related to wing shape. Each lift-loaded wing generates a downwash that acts directly on it, causing induced drag. Evolution has produced specific wing shapes that have a minimum of induced drag. This provides advantages for the birds in foraging, for example, by increasing the range, or allows migration. Seabirds are characterized by pointed, slender wings, while land gliders have broad wings with fanned out hand wings. Each wing shape seems to be an optimum in relation to the habitat of the individual. With today’s mathematical methods, the results of evolution can be fully confirmed.