spurious wing
Definition
Noun: 1. Alula; bastard wing: A small, tufted group of stiff feathers attached to the first digit (the bird's "thumb") of a bird's wing. It is a distinct structure separate from the main flight feathers and aids in flight control, particularly at low speeds or during maneuvers like landing.
Usage
The term is a specific anatomical term used in ornithology (the study of birds) to describe a particular part of a bird's wing structure. * The spurious wing helps prevent stalling during slow flight. * Ornithologists examined the development of the spurious wing in the chick. * Unlike the primary feathers, the spurious wing is not used for generating thrust.
Advanced Usage
- The spurious wing is often covered by the wing coverts when the wing is folded, making it less visible.
- In some bird species, the feathers of the spurious wing may be brightly colored and used in display.
Variants and Related Words
- Alula (noun): The more common technical synonym for "spurious wing."
- Bastard wing (noun): An older, synonymous term for the spurious wing.
- Remiges (noun): The primary and secondary flight feathers of the main part of the wing, distinct from the spurious wing.
- Coverts (noun): The smaller feathers that cover the bases of the flight feathers and the spurious wing.
Synonyms
- Alula
- Bastard wing
Related Phrases
- To deploy the alula: A phrase describing the action of a bird extending this structure during flight.
- The hawk deployed its alula as it slowed to land on the branch.
Noun
-
tuft of small stiff feathers on the first digit of a bird's wing
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