ScienceAugust 25, 2026
updrafts
UP-drafts
Definition
Vertical currents of rising warm air that allow birds like eagles to gain altitude while soaring.
Etymology
The word is a compound of 'up' (meaning toward a higher position) and 'draft' (a current of air). It emerged in the early 20th century to describe rising air currents.
In the news
Researchers analyzed GPS data to see how well young eagles used thermal updrafts to soar, testing if flight mastery correlated with the age at which they left their parents' territory.
Young golden eagles leave their parents' territory late
Read the full article ↗Phys.org