Research in the Animal Flight Group

We study biomechanical, behavioral, physiological and ecological aspects of flight in birds, bats and insects. One main avenue of research is movement ecology. In these studies, we typically collect data using tracking devices placed on the animals (e.g., the ATLAS system in the Hula Valley in NE Israel, and other types of GPS and light-sensing tags) or by using various types of radars (weather radars, specialized bird- and insect-detecting radars). Other research topics in our group address biomechanical aspects of flight, such as flight kinematics during foraging movements in hummingbirds, and physiological aspects, such as, and life-history processes such as feather moult strategies.  

Current projects

Foraging and movement ecology in the airspace – Yuval Werber

Foraging and movement ecology in the airspace – Yuval Werber

My research encompasses the main animal groups that use the airspace and incorporates cutting edge technologies aimed at addressing major knowledge gaps related to the distribution and ecological interactions of aerial animals. My work includes continuous, year round data collection from radars and seasonal field work for tracking individual in their natural environment. Research goals...
Feather moult strategies – Yosef Kiat

Feather moult strategies – Yosef Kiat

My study deals with one of the most important life-history transitions for birds – the feather moult. Birds moult their flight feathers every year, a process that is considered one of the most energy-demanding processes in the avian yearly cycle. Although feathers are the unifying characteristic of all birds, our understanding of the causes, mechanisms...
The effects of food predictability on the foraging ranges of fledgling Egyptian vultures – Korine Reznikov

The effects of food predictability on the foraging ranges of fledgling Egyptian vultures – Korine Reznikov

My research is addressing the question – How does different level of food predictability affect the foraging ranges of fledgling Egyptian vultures? I will examine this question through movement data from transmitters and concentrate on the foraging range of fledglings in the southern part of Israel, in relation to their resources utilization such as supplementary...
Effects of meteorological and habitat attributes on nocturnal bird migration – Inbal Schekler

Effects of meteorological and habitat attributes on nocturnal bird migration – Inbal Schekler

My research is about the effects of meteorological and habitat attributes on nocturnal bird migration. In my research I am focusing on nocturnal migration of birds in Israel, an area where information regarding nocturnal bird migration is scarce. I’m using nocturnal bird migration data from several meteorological and dedicated local bird radars in Israelin order...
Swift research – Itai Bloch

Swift research – Itai Bloch

Imagine being able to fly like a bird. Imagine you are a bird with the best flight capabilities in the aviation department. That you can fly for many months without a break, you can eat while flying, drink while flying, sleep while flying. This is my bird; these are the swifts. I examine how environmental...