Bastard Winglets on a Nankeen Kestrel

["Stephen Ambrose" <>]

Great photo of the Nankeen Kestrel, showing its alula feathers, Chris.

 

All the best,

Stephen

 

Stephen Ambrose

Ryde, NSW

 

From: Birding-Aus <> On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: 31 October 2022 7:29 AM
To: 'Chris Shaw' <>; 'Birding Aus' <>
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Bastard Winglets on a Nankeen Kestrel

 

These are simply the feathers attached to the thumb. The join is on the wrist (or carpal joint) - obviously. Certainly not the elbow. Easiest seen on chicken wings (either cooked or not yet cooked). Presumably on all birds. Not all birds can be seen extending the thumb outwards though.

 

Philip

 

From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of Chris Shaw
Sent: Sunday, 30 October, 2022 1:35 PM
To: Birding Aus
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Bastard Winglets on a Nankeen Kestrel

 

Alula flight feathers or, bastard winglets are small wings at the elbow of birds especially raptors... and probably many others. I took some photographs of a Nankeen Kestrel displaying them in strong up-draughts hovering above the cliffs south of my home in Adelaide... and an Australasian Pelican sans alula's...

 

https://www.ararelitus.com/blog/nankeen-kestrel-cliff-soaring

 

... can be seen on my blog above…

 

Chris Shaw

m("internode.on.net","seashore");">
+61 409 675912

https://www.ararelitus.com

After the game, the King and the Pawn go into the same box.  - Italian proverb 

 

<HR>
<BR> Birding-Aus mailing list
<BR> 
<BR> To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
<BR> http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
</HR>