Alula
The alula
Function
In most situations, the alula is held flush against the wing; however, it can be manipulated. When flying at slow speeds or landing, the bird moves its alula slightly upwards and forward, which creates a small slot on the wing's leading edge. This functions in the same way as the
In falcons, the alula is more prominent, and provides a degree of control when the wing is cupped or tucked in a dive/stoop. The alulae are particularly notable in peregrine falcons.[citation needed]
In ancient birds
The presence of an alula has been confirmed in several now-
See also
- Alular digit homology
- Bird flight
- Leading edge slot, the man-made equivalent on fixed-wing aircraft
Citations
- ^ Ehrlich et al. 1994, p. 219
- ^ Laboratory of Behavioral Ecology and Evolution at Seoul National University (5 June 2015). "Small vortex on the wing makes the elegance of birds' flight". Retrieved 5 June 2015.
- ^ Sanz et al. 1996
- ^ Zhang & Zhou 2000
References
- Ehrlich, Paul R.; Dobkin, David S.; Wheye, Darryl; Pimms, Stuart L. (1994), The Birdwatcher's Handbook, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-858407-5
- Sanz, J. L.; Chiappe, L. M.; Pérez-Moreno, B. P.; Buscalioni, A. D.; Moratalla, J. J.; Ortega, F.; Poyato-Ariza, F. J. (1996-08-01), "An Early Cretaceous bird from Spain and its implications for the evolution of avian flight", S2CID 4284528
- Zhang, Fucheng; Zhou, Zhonghe (8 December 2000), "A Primitive Enantiornithine Bird and the Origin of Feathers", Science, 290 (5498): 1955–1959, PMID 11110660