Drag reduction in a swimming humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti , when the boundary layer is turbulent

An area of protruding feathers found around the beak of many penguin species is thought to induce a turbulent boun ~ dary layer whilst swimming. Hydrodynamic tests on a model Humboldt penguin, Spheniscus humboldti , suggest that induced turbulence causes a significant reduction in boundary layer height, flow separation, and an average of 31 % reduction in drag (1.0 m/s to 4.5 m/s). Visualisation of surface flow showed it to follow the body profile, over the feet and tail, before separating. Movement of the feet in swimming penguins correlates with steering of the bird. Induced turbulence may therefore further increase swimming efficiency by reducing the amount of foot movement required to direct the swimming bird.