What is a wing span?

Wingspan or wing span is the distance from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. It is measured from the wingtips at the point where they are attached to the body, not from the innermost points near the body. Wingspan is important for birds, bats, other flying animals, aircraft and other flying or gliding devices, because it determines the amount of lift that can be generated by the wings. Birds that soar (such as eagles and albatrosses) have long wing spans which allow them to travel long distances with minimal effort, while birds that flap their wings (such as hummingbirds and sparrows) have shorter wing spans for increased maneuverability.