Table 3 Comparison of flight metrics during sea crossing and flying over land

Soar/Flap ratio

1/1.9

1.6/1

Wind support while soaring (m s⁻¹)

4.8 ± 2.3

− 0.9 ± 4.5

Wind support while flapping (m s⁻¹)

2.7 ± 3.9

− 2.1 ± 4.6

Side wind while soaring (m s⁻¹)

2.5 ± 1.4

2.6 ± 1.8

Side wind while flapping (m s⁻¹)

1.9 ± 1.5

3.0 ± 2.1

ΔT while soaring

1.1 ± 0.5

5.4 ± 1.8

ΔT while flapping

1.2 ± 0.7

5.1 ± 2.0

Mean altitude while soaring (m a.s.l.)

243 ± 215

(43–906)

738 ± 355

(63–2043)

Mean altitude while flapping (m a.s.l.)

101 ± 129

(20–978)

1051 ± 372

(247–2061)

Mean climb rate while soaring (m s⁻¹)

0.6 ± 0.9

(0.1–1.5)

1.1 ± 0.6

(0.2–2.8)