Coming Back to Earth

 

Purple Sandpiper, landing

Imagine that you could actually take to the air like a bird. Would you be able to come down again accurately and gently?

The sandpiper's dexterity requires intricate coordination of eyes, wings, and legs, all governed by its 'bird brain.'

As these flight calculations are being made the bird slows down, prepares to absorb the impact with its legs, and keeps a balanced posture.

It can reduce its forward speed by swooping up to a near vertical attitude, cupping its wings and fanning out its tail. Flapping in this orientation puts on its air brakes.

A perfectly timed approach lets the sandpiper come to a stall and drop softly onto its landing spot.