How Birds Use Their Wings for More Than Just Flying

Bird wings are indeed marvels of evolutionary history, and their uses extend far beyond simply providing lift for flight. There are many ways in which wings help birds, whether it is finding a mate or swimming underwater. 

Balance and Maneuvering

Birds use subtle adjustments in their wing position and shape to maintain balance during flight, especially in turbulent air. They can execute sharp turns and intricate maneuvers by altering the angle and curvature of their wings. They show a combination of sophisticated aerodynamic principles and precise muscular control. 

Birds can manipulate the angle of attack of their wings, which is the angle between the wing and the oncoming airflow. This adjustment changes the amount of lift generated, allowing them to control their altitude and stability.  

The shape of a bird’s wing, an airfoil, is designed to create differences in air pressure. Air flowing over the curved upper surface travels faster than air flowing under the flatter lower surface, resulting in lower pressure above and higher pressure below, which generates lift. This is the same principle that allows planes to take off.  

Landing and Takeoff

Wings are essential for controlled landings, allowing birds to slow down and adjust their descent. They also provide the initial thrust needed for takeoff.   

When a bird lands, it’s a carefully orchestrated sequence of actions involving precise control of their wings and body. Birds increase the angle of their wings, which significantly increases drag. This drag acts as a natural brake, slowing their forward momentum.

They may use rapid, shallow wingbeats or even reverse the direction of their wingbeats to further increase drag and reduce their speed.

Communication and Display

Birds use their wings in courtship displays in a variety of visually striking ways, all aimed at attracting a mate. 

Wing Flashing and Fluttering

Many species will rapidly open and close their wings, flashing bright colors or patterns to catch the attention of potential mates. This can involve quick, repetitive movements or more elaborate, synchronized displays. The speed and intensity of the fluttering can signal the bird’s vigor and fitness.

Wing Posturing and Shaping

Birds may hold their wings in specific positions to emphasize their size, plumage, or other desirable traits. They might spread their wings wide, raise them high, or fold them in a particular way to create a striking silhouette. Some birds can manipulate the shape of their wings, creating unique visual effects.

Aerial Displays

Many birds, especially those that are skilled fliers, incorporate their wings into elaborate aerial displays.

These displays can involve:

• Dramatic dives and swoops.
• Precise aerial maneuvers and acrobatics.
• Synchronized flight patterns with a potential mate.

These displays demonstrate the bird’s agility, strength, and coordination.

Wing Sounds

Some birds have specialized wing feathers that produce distinct sounds during flight or display. These sounds can be used to attract mates or to enhance visual displays.

Many grouse species, such as the Sage Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse, produce booming, drumming, or rattling sounds with their wings during elaborate lek displays. These sounds are created by the rapid movement of their wings and specialized primary feathers.

During its courtship flight, the male American Woodcock produces a twittering sound with its wings. This sound is produced by the outer primary feathers.   

Some Manakin species produce snapping and other percussive sounds with their wings. These sounds are very important in their complex courtship rituals.   

And of course, there is the exact opposite of wing sounds. The ability of owls to fly almost silently is a remarkable adaptation that aids them in their nocturnal hunting. This silent flight is achieved through a combination of unique wing and feather characteristics.

The leading edge of an owl’s primary feathers has a comb-like, serrated fringe. This structure breaks down the turbulent airflow that normally creates a “whooshing” sound into smaller, less noisy micro-turbulences. Also, the upper surface of owl feathers has a soft, velvety texture. This texture absorbs high-frequency sound waves, further reducing noise.   

The trailing edge of the wings has a soft, fringed edge that helps to dissipate the remaining turbulence and minimize noise.   

Feather Displays

Wings often play a role in displaying elaborate feather patterns or colors. Birds may spread their wings to reveal hidden markings or to emphasize the brilliance of their plumage.

Take the Sunbittern, for instance. When they are at rest, the plumage appears relatively cryptic, with subtle patterns of browns, grays, and blacks. 

However, when threatened or feeling defensive, the Sunbittern dramatically spreads its wings and tail. This action reveals the striking, eye-like patterns on its primary wing feathers and tail. The sudden appearance of these vivid colors and “eyespot” patterns is thought to startle or intimidate potential predators.

The effect is similar to the displays of some moths and butterflies, which also use sudden flashes of color to deter predators. 

Territorial Displays

Birds may use their wings to signal aggression or territoriality, such as spreading their wings to appear larger or to intimidate rivals. 

Raptors (Hawks, Eagles, Falcons)

Raptors often use wing postures to signal territorial ownership. They may spread their wings to appear larger and more intimidating, especially when confronting rivals. They might also engage in aerial displays, such as soaring or diving, to patrol and mark their territory.

Gulls

Gulls display aggression and territoriality by raising their wings and sometimes even flapping them while facing a rival. This behavior is often accompanied by vocalizations.

Shorebirds

Shorebirds, such as terns and plovers, use wing displays to defend their nesting territories. They may raise their wings, spread them out, or perform aggressive flapping motions. Adult birds may also bend their wings to appear injured if they feel a predator is too close to the nest.

Songbirds

Even smaller songbirds use their wings in territorial displays. They may flick their wings, spread them slightly, or use them in conjunction with other body postures to signal aggression.   

Waterfowl

Waterfowl may use wing displays to defend their territories, particularly during breeding season. They might raise their wings, flap them aggressively, or use them to create splashes and displays on the water.   

Other Functions

Some birds use their wings to regulate their body temperature. For example, vultures may spread their wings to sunbathe and warm themselves. Conversely, some birds will also hold their wings away from their bodies to help with cooling.   

Providing shade

Birds may use their wings to provide shade for their young. 

Swimming

Some aquatic birds, like penguins, use their wings as flippers for swimming and diving.   

Hunting

Some species of heron and egret will spread their wings when hunting so the fish in the water don’t see them so well.

Balance while running

Flightless birds, like the Ostrich and Emu, use their wings to help with balance while running.   

Hovering

Unlike most birds that generate lift primarily on the downstroke, hummingbirds can generate lift on both the upstroke and downstroke. They achieve this by rotating their wings almost 180 degrees at the shoulder. This allows them to effectively “row” through the air.

Hummingbirds have incredibly high wing-beat frequencies, ranging from 20 to 80 beats per second, and sometimes even higher. This rapid flapping generates the lift necessary to keep them suspended in mid-air.   

Final Thoughts

Birds are remarkable creatures, full of interesting and clever behaviors, and their wings are feats of natural engineering on their own. From hovering to hunting and flying to shading to showing off, they have it all. Next time you see a bird, look at those incredible wings – they do so much more than just fly!