Evolutionary and Hereditary Traits of an Albatross and its Aerodynamic Optimality

Abstract

Abstract The aerodynamic efficiency of the albatross has always fascinated researchers and the designing of drones mimicking the albatross’s aerodynamic traits have been a major area of interest for the aerospace industry. This review sheds light on the traits behind an albatross’s aerodynamic efficiency such as dynamic soaring, bell shaped lift distribution and provides insights into its hereditary posed encodings and evolutions. The soaring techniques have been introduced and discussed along with the albatross’s morphology and structure which is responsible for its efficiency. In addition, the albatross’s navigational and foraging strategies are briefly discussed to provide a better understanding of the effects of atmospheric conditions on the albatross’s flight characteristics and the limitations.