Data from: Hovering hummingbird wing aerodynamics during the annual cycle
Data files
Aug 16, 2017 version files 3.73 GB
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PIV_chordwise_full_z_0p25.mat
349.41 MB
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PIV_chordwise_full_z_0p50.mat
408.35 MB
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PIV_chordwise_full_z_0p75.mat
408.24 MB
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PIV_chordwise_P10_z_0p50.mat
394.90 MB
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PIV_chordwise_P10_z_0p75.mat
419.15 MB
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PIV_chordwise_P1P2P3P4_z_0p25.mat
368.36 MB
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PIV_chordwise_P1P2P3P4_z_0p50.mat
392.74 MB
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PIV_spanwise_full.mat
48.78 MB
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PIV_spanwise_P1P2P3P4.mat
48.86 MB
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PIV_spanwise_P8P9.mat
48.81 MB
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second_third_moment_butterFc_40_wInst_SurfaceArea9p12.mat
843.07 MB
Abstract
The diverse hummingbird family (Trochilidae) has unique adaptations for nectarivory, among which is the ability to sustain hover-feeding. As hummingbirds mainly feed while hovering, it is crucial to maintain this ability throughout the annual cycle—especially during flight-feather moult, in which wing area is reduced. To quantify the aerodynamic characteristics and flow mechanisms of a hummingbird wing throughout the annual cycle, time-accurate aerodynamic loads and flow field measurements were correlated over a dynamically scaled wing model of Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna). We present measurements recorded over a model of a complete wing to evaluate the baseline aerodynamic characteristics and flow mechanisms. We found that the vorticity concentration that had developed from the wing’s leading-edge differs from the attached vorticity structure that was typically found over insects’ wings; firstly, it is more elongated along the wing chord, and secondly, it encounters high levels of fluctuations rather than a steady vortex. Lift characteristics resemble those of insects; however, a 20% increase in the lift-to-torque ratio was obtained for the hummingbird wing model. Time-accurate aerodynamic loads were also used to evaluate the time-evolution of the specific power required from the flight muscles, and the overall wingbeat power requirements nicely matched previous studies.