Which would you think are more efficient in the air? Planes or such creatures as bats, insects, and birds? Believe it or not, the plane is no match for these small wonders of nature, who “have outstanding capabilities to remain airborne through wind gusts, rain, and snow,” says Wei Shyy, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Michigan.* Their secret? Wings that flap—the envy of aviators since man’s attempts at flying first got off the ground.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/200902a/article_01.htm