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A bird's center of gravity is the balance point between its two wings and between its head and tail. I

To fly well, birds must have most of their weight in their center of gravity, and very little weight in front of or behind it.

un into the wind, and the rush of air beneath their wings lifts them up. Others, like puffins and Peregrine Falcons, jump off cliffs and other high perches. Chimney Swifts simply let go of their chimney or other vertical perch, and fall into the air. Hummingbird wingbeats are so powerful that they can go straight up from a perched position without jumping. Songbirds, cranes, and many other species leap up on strong legs while flapping their wings, and there they go.