Locomotion in a Bird

Birds

have aerofoil wings which

generate the lift for flying through
air.
A bird also has a pair of antagonistic
muscles :
# pectoralis major
# pectoralis minor
When the pectoralis minor muscles
contract and the pectoralis major
muscles relax, the wings are pulled

 When

the pectoralis major muscles

contract and the pectoralis minor
muscles relax ,the wings are pulled
down ( downstroke).

The

wings which move up and down

rhythmically generate the forward
thrust as well as provide the lift for
the flying bird.