Short, rounded wings are good for quick takeoff but short flights. Grouse and sparrows have this type of wing. Long, broad wings are soaring wings like those of hawks and eagles. Tail shape indicates how a bird flys. A long, forked tail is for steering during fast flight.
Swallows use their forked tails to make quick dips and turns while chasing insects.
A stiff tail provides leverage for tree climbers. Woodpeckers use their tail for support when they peck tree trunks in search of insects. A broad, rounded tail is typical of soaring birds like hawks. A long, narrow tail is typical of falcons and acts as a rudder during swift dives. Contact the Alaska Native Knowledge Network .