Eli5. Seagulls and other seabirds appear to defy physics when flying against the wind.

Question

I often see seagulls fly directly into a fierce wind, sometimes hardly flapping their wings. How is that even possible?

In: 0

Answer 1

They’re gliding. Air moving over their wings is what keeps them up, so a good headwind is all they need to stay aloft. This is why airplanes prefer to take off into the wind.