Black-Tipped Wing Alignment in V-Formation: Aerodynamic Implications for Avian Flight Efficiency

Birds frequently fly in a V-shape because this formation helps them use less energy by taking advantage of the airflow created by the birds in front. In many species, particularly seabirds such as gulls, the distal wing tips exhibit darker pigmentation, often black, which corresponds to increased melanin content, mechanical strength, thermal absorption, and modified surface emissivity. Despite numerous studies on V-formation aerodynamics, the specific influence of black-tipped wings on heat transfer, air viscosity gradients, local flow structures, and induced drag reduction remains unexplored. This study investigates the coupled aerodynamic and thermophysical effects of black-tipped wing regions within a V-formation flight using simplified NACA 0012-based wing models, ANSYS FLUENT CFD simulation and controlled thermal boundary conditions.