In the movie Monty Python, a character guesses that the swallow flaps its wings 43 times a second. That is way too high. Real biology shows they flap their wings about 18 times a second. Each flap moves their wings about 18 centimeters. This keeps them steady and fast in the air.

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Estimating the Airspeed Velocity of an Unladen Swallow | style.org

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evidence

A European swallow flies at a normal cruising speed of about 24 miles per hour.

evidence

The African Mosque swallow is estimated to fly at about 40 miles per hour.

perspective

The joke is really about the danger of assumptions. King Arthur could not answer because he did n...

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The Airspeed of an Unladen Swallow

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A European swallow beats its wings about 18 times every second.

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