Let me share with you a comparison of Active Flight and Passive Flight.
| Aspect | Active Flight | Passive Flight |
| Source of energy | · Generated by the organism’s own muscular effort
· The process typically involves flapping of wings or other active propulsion methods. |
· Relies on external forces such as wind currents to carry the organism through the air without the need for continuous energy expenditure. |
| Muscular Involvement | · Requires constant muscle activity for sustained flight. | · Involves no muscle activity once the organism is airborne. |
| Energy Expenditure | · Requires significant energy expenditure, as the organism must continually flap its wings | · Generally, lower energy expenditure once airborne, as the organism uses external forces for movement. |
| Control and Maneuverability | · Provides a high degree of control over direction, speed, and altitude due to the active nature of flight. | · Limited control and maneuverability compared to active flight |
| Speed | · Can achieve high speeds, especially in the case of birds and some insects. | · Generally slower compared to active flight |
| Energetic efficiency | · Generally less energetically efficient compared to passive flight | · Often more energetically efficient |