Editing Alula (section)

==Function==
[[File:Haliaeetus leucocephalus2.jpg|thumb|200px|alt=A large bird landing on its nest|Adult [[bald eagle]] landing, showing the alula in action]]
In most situations, the alula is held flush against the wing; however, it can be manipulated. When flying at slow speeds or landing, the bird moves its alula slightly upwards and forward, which creates a small slot on the wing's leading edge. This functions in the same way as the [[Leading edge slats|slats]] on the leading edge of the wing of an aircraft, allowing the wing to achieve a higher than normal [[angle of attack]] – and thus [[lift (force)|lift]] – without resulting in a [[stall (flight)|stall]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Ehrlich|Dobkin|Wheye|Pimms|1994|p=219}}</ref>  The tip of the alula forms a tiny vortex, acting similar to a [[vortex generator]], that forces the airflow over the wing to better bind to it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150605103008.htm |title=Small vortex on the wing makes the elegance of birds' flight |author=Laboratory of Behavioral Ecology and Evolution at Seoul National University |date=5 June 2015 |access-date=5 June 2015}}</ref> During stretching of the wing down toward the ground, the alula is abducted from the wing and can be clearly viewed.

In falcons, the alula is more prominent, and provides a degree of control when the wing is cupped or tucked in a dive/stoop. The alulae are particularly notable in [[peregrine falcon]]s.{{Citation needed|reason=Unsourced statement that goes against previously sourced statements.|date=April 2021}}