alula
noun
al·u·la
| \ ˈal-yə-lə
\
\
plural alulae\ -ˌlē
, -ˌlī \
, -ˌlī \
Definition of alula
: a specialized structure of the upper leading edge of a bird's wing that consists of a tuft of short, stiff flight feathers attached to the movable first wing digit corresponding to the thumb and that facilitates flight, landing, and maneuverability at slow speeds : bastard wing
While easy to overlook, the alula is essential to a modern bird's aerodynamics.— Tom Waters By altering airflow, the alula permits good maneuverability and control at low flying speeds, crucial for takeoffs and landings. — National Geographic
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