Wing of Birds

 Only a few animals like insects,bats and birds are able to fly and of these three the birds are by far the largest ,fastest and most powerful fliers. The secret of it lies in the design oh the birds' wings.

A birds wing is light,flexible and strong. It is also slightly curved from front to back, producing an profile which literally pulls the bird upwards as it flaps through the air. 

Although the size and shape of wings vary according to a bird's individual lifestyle, all share the same pattern as shown here.

Lesser Coverts- These shape the leading edge, the part of wing which meets the oncoming air.

Main Coverts- These are arranged in rows along with the inner and the outer wing. these form a curved surface to provide lift.

Alula- This group of feathers is held open in slow flight to prevent stalling.

Primary Flight Feathers- The primary flight feathers produce the power for flight as the bird brings its wing downwards. The outer most primaries can be used for steering, like flaps on  a plane's wing.

Secondary Flight Feathers- On the inner wing the Secondary flight feathers form the curve that provides lift.

Tertiary Flight Feathers- These are the innermost flight feathers which shape the wing into the body to prevent turbulence during flight.

Fact: Wings of a bird and arms of a human being have evolved from same type of limb. However, the wing has only three fingers and some of the wrist bones are fused together. In the below picture the corresponding bones are colored the same.