News Physics Swift Lift: Birds may get a rise out of swirling air By Peter Weiss December 8, 2004 at 3:44 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Share on X (Opens in new window) X Print (Opens in new window) Print Birds do it, and bees do it. But until recently, scientists thought the birds and bees did it in different ways. SOAR WINNER. Sharp leading edges of a swift’s wings may kick up vortices of air (gray cones) that create extra lift. Videler, et al./Science We’re talking about flying, of course.