Metal-Feathered Macaw Viability Part 1: How Can It Fly?
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Metal-Feathered Macaw Viability Part 2: Best Wing Shape?
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I'm designing a macaw that has metal feathers, claws, and a metal beak--to be particular, steel. To start with, assume a regular anatomy/physiology of a macaw+steel feathers, claws, and beak.
The growing beak/claws/feathers are pure steel, all the way through. They have the same shape and structure as regular feathers (barbs, strands, etc.)
Question:
Given the increase in weight due to this metal, what physiological/anatomical changes would be required to still permit flight with these modifications? The bird still needs to be able to fly, but I suspect it will not be able to do so for as long as a normal macaw.
By "flight" I mean take off and maneuver under its own power. No pushing it off a cliff or making it "glide" like a flying squirrel. Actual flight.
Don't regard the way the macaw grows the feathers or gets the steel it needs. It just grows them. This is about the aerodynamics.
Please don't write handwavium/it's magic answers or comments. I want to develop this part scientifically and realistically. It's tagged as science-based, not magic.
Thank you to the Sandbox for helping grow this question.
This post was sourced from https://worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/q/115491. It is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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