Published: 14 Dec 2015 | Last Updated: 16 Dec 2015 13:53:39

Animal flight researchers in the Structure and Motion Laboratory have been awarded a grant from the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research to study how birds react to disturbances when airborne.

The grant, awarded to Dr Richard Bomphrey and Dr Jim Usherwood, runs until late 2020, during which time a variety of trained birds will be flown through the lab facility.

High-speed cameras will record every movement the birds make, helping the researchers to describe how large and small changes in wing and tail shape and position are used to stabilise and control flight paths. Continually morphing bird wings can be an inspiration for enhanced manoeuvrability and efficiency in man-made flying vehicles.

Photo copyright Jim Usherwood