Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Interactive

Wings for flight

Different wing sizes and shapes allow fliers to have specific flight capabilities. Match birds and aircraft with similar capabilities.

Wings for flight

Soaring

    Speed

      Gliding

        Havering

          Manoeuvering

            Endurance

              Unused items

              • Falcon
              • King vulture
              • Hawk
              • Albatross
              • Hummingbird
              • Godwit
              • Spy plane
              • Glider
              • Swing-wing bomber
              • Spitfire
              • Helicopter
              • Airbus
              Download Exercise

              Different wing sizes and shapes allow fliers to have specific flight capabilities, such as gliding and manoeuvrability. Planes that have wings similar in shape and comparable size to wings of certain birds can achieve similar flight capabilities.

              Look at the wings of the bird or aircraft in the image cards and move the image to the box that best represents a particular flight capability. Note: if the image card has not changed to a blue background, check it is fully within a box. 

              Use the DOWNLOAD EXERCISE button for a PDF of the diagram and cards.

              The activity Observing wings for flight has information on each of the birds and aircraft and provides additional support in using this interactive.

              Glossary

              Published: 16 February 2021
              Referencing Hub media

              Explore related content

              Appears inRelated resources
              Wing loading

              Article

              Wing loading

              You can tell a great deal about how a bird lives or what a plane has been designed for just ...

              Read more
              Wing aspect ratio

              Article

              Wing aspect ratio

              Wing shapes and sizes of both birds and planes determine how they might perform or what they might be capable ...

              Read more
              How birds fly

              Article

              How birds fly

              One of the requirements for heavier-than-air flying machines is a structure that combines strength with light weight. This is true ...

              Read more
              Observing wings for flight

              Activity

              Observing wings for flight

              In this activity, students use an online interactive or paper-based graphic organiser to consider how wing size and shape influences ...

              Read more
              Investigating flight – introduction

              Article

              Investigating flight – introduction

              Have you ever wanted to fly? To soar above valleys and mountains, cities and oceans, feeling the wind whipping against ...

              Read more
              Aerofoils and paper planes

              Activity

              Aerofoils and paper planes

              In this activity, students learn how to make an aerofoil and to make and fly paper planes. In the process, ...

              Read more
              Observing wings for flight

              Activity

              Observing wings for flight

              In this activity, students use an online interactive or paper-based graphic organiser to consider how wing size and shape influences ...

              Read more

              See our newsletters here.

              NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

              The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

              Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato