So just what is the airspeed velocity of

So. . . just what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

What do you mean? An African or European swallow? European – Barn Swallow

African – Pied-winged Swallow – Angola Swallow – Preuss's Swallow – Bank Swallow – Red-chested Swallow – Black-and-rufous Swallow – Red-rumped Swallow – Blue Swallow – Red Sea Swallow – Ethiopian Swallow – Red-throated Swallow – Forest Swallow – Rufous-chested Swallow – Greater Striped Swallow – South African Cliff Swallow – Grey-rumped Swallow – White-tailed Swallow – Lesser Striped Swallow – White-throated Blue Swallow – Mosque Swallow – White-throated Swallow – Pearl-breasted Swallow – Wire-tailed Swallow

It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut. 0. 35 0. 3 0. 2 0. 15 0. 1 0. 05 er pe ck an od Sw Wo Pe tre l Pig eo n Ski mm er Sta rlin g pre y Os e gpi Ma el Ke str Gu ll Fin ch nt ora ar Co rm rig Bu dge atr oss 0 Alb Strouhal 0. 25

How do you know so much about swallows? ● European ● African – Mass: 19 g – Mass: 21 g – Wingspan: 33 cm – Wingspan: 27 cm ~ Amplitude: 19 cm ~ Amplitude: 15 cm

In order to maintain airspeed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings forty-three times every second, right? Wingbeat frequency of birds in steady cruising flight: New data and improved predictions C J Pennycuick, The Journal of Experimental Biology 199, 1613 -1618 (1996)

You have to know these things when you're a king ● European ● African – Mass: 19 g – Mass: 21 g – Wingspan: 33 cm – Wingspan: 27 cm – Amplitude: 19 cm – Amplitude: 15 cm – Frequency: 8 Hz – Frequency: 11 Hz

What is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? ● European ● African 9. 2 m/s 10. 4 m/s 20. 6 mph 23. 3 mph 0. 88 Bolt 1 Bolt

One, two, five In case you were wondering: – At least 5 swallows would be needed to carry a coconut