What specialized flight mechanism did researchers hypothesize Pelagornis heavily relied upon?

Answer

Dynamic soaring

Given its massive size and the inherent difficulty heavier birds face in achieving sustained flapping flight due to increased energy demands, researchers hypothesize that Pelagornis utilized dynamic soaring. This is an energy-saving technique characteristic of large seabirds like the wandering albatross. Dynamic soaring involves exploiting the wind gradient immediately above the ocean surface by skillfully maneuvering: the bird dives downwind to build speed, then cuts sharply into the wind to climb steeply into the faster air higher up, converting that kinetic energy into altitude before repeating the cycle. This efficient gliding would have been essential for the survival of a bird with a potential 24-foot wingspan over the vast ocean.

What specialized flight mechanism did researchers hypothesize Pelagornis heavily relied upon?

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