In
addition to the wing shape, the size and length of the tail will
give a clue as to the preferred habitat of the species. The tail
is made up of 12 feathers (though 14 have been known in some individuals)
and provides stability and agility in flight - the larger and broader
the tail, the more maneuverability the bird has, and vice versa.
The two centre feathers are more or less straight with each feather
becoming more curved as you work to the outside. This means that
when the bird spreads its tail feathers they present an unbroken
and therefore more efficient surface area with no gaps.
The
hawk family (accipiters) are closed country predators and need a
large tail which they use like a rudder when chasing prey through
woodland.
Soaring
birds such as eagles, buzzards and vultures have a much shorter
tail as they do not need the degree of agility of the hawks. In
fact, so short is the tail of the Bateleur eagle that it gets very
little stability from it, resulting in the canting flight which
has given it its name (bateleur is French for tightrope walker).
The
Falcon family also have long tails which they do not need for high
speed stooping but do find useful for tail chases following missed
or partially-successful stoops. The kestrel, on the other hand,
makes great use of its long tail (which makes up about half of its
overall body length) which it spreads out to provide extra lift
while hovering.
Slow-flying
birds such as harriers and kites also have a large tail area to
generate more stability and lift at low speed.
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