Features of owl wings that promote silent flight

Wagner, Hermann; Weger, Matthias; Klaas, Michael; Schröder, Wolfgang

doi:10.1098/rsfs.2016.0078

Cited by 95 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Owls are known for their silent flight made possible by morphological adaptations that facilitate particular aerodynamic properties of their wings (Wagner, Weger, Klaas, & Schröder, ). These adaptations include broad wings with serrations on the leading edge of the outer primaries, and a velvet‐like surface that has an effect on noise reduction and the trailing edges with a hair‐like fringe that reduces turbulence (Bruce, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This kind of study is necessary to achieve an accurate interpretation of structure–function relations (Liem, Bemis, Walker, & Grande, ). So far, several studies have focused on the biology of the Barn Owls, like the osteology, morphometrical and biomechanical functions of their flight, embryonic development and growth, diet, feather characteristics, and silent flight (see Bachmann, ; Bachmann et al, ; Bachmann & Wagner, ; Bachmann, Wagner, & Tropea, ; Bharath Kumar, Santhi Lakshmi, & Pramod Kumar, ; Köppl, Futterer, Nieder, Sistermann, & Wagner, ; McCafferty & Lurcock, ; Wagner et al, ). Nevertheless, there are few recent studies on the myology of this species, mainly focusing on the neck (Boumans, Krings, & Wagner, ) and hindlimb (Mosto, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wing and tail myology of Tyto furcata (Aves, Tytonidae)

Coco

Motta

Mosto

et al. 2020

Journal of Morphology

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Barn Owls (Tytonidae) are nocturnal raptors with the largest geographical distribution among Strigiformes. Several osteological, morphometrical, and biomechanical studies of this species were performed by previous authors. Nevertheless, the myology of forelimb and tail of the Barn Owls is virtually unknown. This study is the first detailed myological study performed on the wing and tail of the American Barn Owl (Tyto furcata). A total of 11 specimens were dissected and their morphology and muscle masses were described. Although T. furcata has the wing and tail myological pattern present in other species of Strigiformes, some peculiarities were observed including a difference in the attachment of m. pectoralis propatagialis due to the lack of the os prominence, and the presence of an osseous arch in the radius that seems to widen the anchorage area of the mm. pronator profundus, extensor longus alulae, and extensor longus digiti majoris. Furthermore, the m. biceps brachii has an unusual extra belly that flexes the forearm. The interosseous muscles have a small size and lacks ossified tendons. This feature may be indicative of a lower specialization in the elevation and flexion of the digiti majoris. Forelimb and tail muscle mass account for 10.66 and 0.24% of the total body mass, respectively. Forelimb muscle mass value is similar to the nocturnal (Strigiformes) and diurnal (Falconidae and Accipitridae) raptors, while the tail value is lower than in the diurnal raptors (Falconidae and Accipitridae). The myological differences with other birds of prey are here interpreted in association with their “parachuting” hunting style. This work complements our knowledge of the axial musculature of the American Barn owls, and provides important information for future studies related to functional morphology and ecomorphology.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wing and tail myology of Tyto furcata (Aves, Tytonidae)

Coco

Motta

Mosto

et al. 2020

Journal of Morphology

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“…The behaviour of animals is often enabled through unique morphological specializations. Wagner et al [4] review how the integument specialization of owls, unique silent feathers, are perhaps one of the most inspiring solutions available for making aerial robots quieter. Finally, a mostly overlooked specialization in animal flight is that birds can sleep on the wing.…”

Section: New Reviews Of Aerial Robotics and Animal Flightmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coevolving advances in animal flight and aerial robotics

Lentink

2017

Interface Focus.

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Our understanding of animal flight has inspired the design of new aerial robots with more effective flight capacities through the process of biomimetics and bioinspiration. The aerodynamic origin of the elevated performance of flying animals remains, however, poorly understood. In this themed issue, animal flight research and aerial robot development coalesce to offer a broader perspective on the current advances and future directions in these coevolving fields of research. Together, four reviews summarize and 14 reports contribute to our understanding of low Reynolds number flight. This area of applied aerodynamics research is challenging to dissect due to the complicated flow phenomena that include laminarturbulent flow transition, laminar separation bubbles, delayed stall and nonlinear vortex dynamics. Our mechanistic understanding of low Reynolds number flight has perhaps been advanced most by the development of dynamically scaled robot models and new specialized wind tunnel facilities: in particular, the tiltable Lund flight tunnel for animal migration research and the recently developed AFAR hypobaric wind tunnel for high-altitude animal flight studies. These world-class facilities are now complemented with a specialized low Reynolds number wind tunnel for studying the effect of turbulence on animal and robot flight in much greater detail than previously possible. This is particular timely, because the study of flight in extremely laminar versus turbulent flow opens a new frontier in our understanding of animal flight. Advancing this new area will offer inspiration for developing more efficient high-altitude aerial robots and removes roadblocks for aerial robots operating in turbulent urban environments.

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“…Birds are experts of gliding flight in the Re range Oð10 4À5 Þ 20) in the Earth's atmosphere. Owls, [21][22][23][24] swifts, 25,26) and eagles 27) are good examples. They fly in the Re range Oð10 4À5 Þ based on the mean chord length c of the wing and the gliding flight velocity u 1 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aerodynamics of Owl-like Wing Model at Low Reynolds Numbers

Aono

Kondo

Nonomura

et al. 2020

Trans. Japan Soc. Aero. S Sci.

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Aerodynamics of an owl-like wing model at low Reynolds numbers (Re = O(10 4-5)) are investigated using largeeddy simulations with high-resolution computational schemes. The airfoil shape of the owl-like wing model is constructed based on a cross-sectional geometry of the owl wing at 40% wingspan from the root. The chord-based Re ranges from 1.0 © 10 4 to 5.0 © 10 4 and the angle of attack (¡) varies from 0 to 14 deg. The time-averaged lift (C l) and drag coefficients computed are in reasonable agreement with the results of force measurement. The results computed clarify a nonlinear change in the C l curve slope, which is due to an increase in the suction peaks in conjunction with the change in type of separation, the formation of a laminar separation bubble (LSB), and pressure recovery on the pressure side. The generation of the LSB on the suction and/or pressure sides at the Re of 2.3 © 10 4 and 4.6 © 10 4 are seen, while reattachments are observed only on the pressure side at the Re of 1.0 © 10 4 due to the camber of the wing. Furthermore, the owl-like wing model demonstrates favorable aerodynamic performance in terms of a maximum lift-to-drag ratio in comparison with several airfoils at the Re range considered. This is due to the strong suction peaks and distribution of surface pressure on the pressure side. It is emphasized that the concave lower surface enhances the time-averaged aerodynamic performance at all of the ¡ even though the LSB is generated and fluctuation in lift history is induced at low ¡.

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Features of owl wings that promote silent flight

Cited by 95 publications

References 54 publications

Wing and tail myology of Tyto furcata (Aves, Tytonidae)

Wing and tail myology of Tyto furcata (Aves, Tytonidae)

Coevolving advances in animal flight and aerial robotics

Aerodynamics of Owl-like Wing Model at Low Reynolds Numbers

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