Lift Off
A female Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) lifts off from her perch near a nest cavity containing her two young owlets. The different wing feathers and their function are nicely displayed. The splayed out feathers at the tips are the primaries, which are responsible for thrust, particularly important here at take off. The wing feathers closer to the body are the secondaries, and are associated with lift during flight, and for protecting the primaries when the feathers are retracted.
Lift Off
A female Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) lifts off from her perch near a nest cavity containing her two young owlets. The different wing feathers and their function are nicely displayed. The splayed out feathers at the tips are the primaries, which are responsible for thrust, particularly important here at take off. The wing feathers closer to the body are the secondaries, and are associated with lift during flight, and for protecting the primaries when the feathers are retracted.