Wings are appendages that extend from the sides of an animal’s body and enable it to fly. Birds, bats, and insects all have wings. In contrast, wingless animals include mammals (except for bats), reptiles, and amphibians.
The word “wing” comes from the Old English word winc, meaning “to flap or move with a quick motion.” Wings are usually thin sheets of skin stretched over a network of bones or other support structures. The shape of wings varies depending on the animal; for example, bird wings are very different from those of bats.
Animals use their wings to fly by flapping them up and down or gliding through the air without flapping. How an animal moves its wings affects how efficiently it can fly; for instance, birds that flap their wings up and down can fly faster and further than those that just glide.
The function of wings has been extensively studied by scientists, who have used mathematical models to understand how they work. This research has led to the development of artificial wings, which are being used in a variety of applications such as aviation and wind power generation.