Mighty Feathers: Alula Feathers

ALULAS, AILERONS AND FLAPS: Flaps help jets to reduce lift while landing. The alula feathers on birds’ wings help them with lift also while landing. They help birds to land elegantly.

ALULAS, AILERONS AND FLAPS: The alula feathers are attached to a tiny bone in the back of the bird’s wing. They stick out at exactly the right moment giving the bird extra lift.

ALULAS, AILERONS AND FLAPS: Particle image velocimetry was used to study the effect of the alula feathers. Particles were sprayed into the air where birds were landing. It was discovered that small vortices were caused that helped birds to land elegantly.

ALULAS, AILERONS AND FLAPS: At Oxford, scientist learned that the steppe eagle has a very fast movement of feathers across the shoulder of its tail just as it is about to land. This gives the bird extra lift.