Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent Flight

The owl is renowned as nature's stealth bird and possesses distinctive aeroacoustic qualities. When it comes to the silent flight of owls, two primary hypotheses are considered: the self-masking hypothesis and the stealth hypothesis. Consequently, our intention is to present a comprehensive rev...

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Main Authors: M. Mozafari, M. Masdari
Format: Article
Language:fas
Published: Sharif University of Technology 2023-05-01
Series:مهندسی مکانیک شریف
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sjme.journals.sharif.edu/article_22918_67fe3f42f725fef2a3283cf595d03505.pdf
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author M. Mozafari
M. Masdari
author_facet M. Mozafari
M. Masdari
author_sort M. Mozafari
collection DOAJ
description The owl is renowned as nature's stealth bird and possesses distinctive aeroacoustic qualities. When it comes to the silent flight of owls, two primary hypotheses are considered: the self-masking hypothesis and the stealth hypothesis. Consequently, our intention is to present a comprehensive review article on the aeroacoustics of owls. This paper provides a concise overview of research conducted using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) studies and visualization techniques, delving into how owls achieve silent flight and how their noise reduction mechanisms can be applied in engineering designs. The objective is to examine the distinctive physical characteristics of owls, their foraging behavior, and their ability to maintain silence in the presence of other species. Subsequently, the focus shifts to an analysis of the noise generated during owl flight, with emphasis on the geometric aspects of their wings, which play a crucial role in enabling silent flight. The subsequent sections provide an overview and summary of efforts to model the wing characteristics responsible for silent flight, as well as a description of noise reduction technologies inspired by owl features. In general, there exists a wide range of hypotheses regarding the silent flight and stealth of owls; however, the most compelling and well-supported explanations to date revolve around three key factors: the serrated structure of the wing leading edge, the velvety fibers and fringes along the trailing edge, and the combined effect of trailing edge and leading edge serrations. These factors contribute to a significant reduction in overall sound pressure levels across all angles of attack, stabilize speed fluctuations on the suction surface, and eliminate low and high-frequency sounds. Additionally, owls possess long velvety feathers on their wings, which absorb sound frequencies, and the elongated distal barbules create a multi-layered porous structure that enhances sound absorption.
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spelling doaj.art-d5e79b1371a94fc6ac7a906c45473fdc2023-12-03T08:27:26ZfasSharif University of Technologyمهندسی مکانیک شریف2676-47252676-47332023-05-0139.319911810.24200/j40.2022.60494.164322918Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent FlightM. Mozafari0M. Masdari1F‌a‌c‌u‌l‌t‌y o‌f N‌e‌w S‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌e‌s a‌n‌d T‌e‌c‌h‌n‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌e‌s U‌n‌i‌v‌e‌r‌s‌i‌t‌y o‌f T‌e‌h‌r‌a‌nF‌a‌c‌u‌l‌t‌y o‌f N‌e‌w S‌c‌i‌e‌n‌c‌e‌s a‌n‌d T‌e‌c‌h‌n‌o‌l‌o‌g‌i‌e‌s U‌n‌i‌v‌e‌r‌s‌i‌t‌y o‌f T‌e‌h‌r‌a‌nThe owl is renowned as nature's stealth bird and possesses distinctive aeroacoustic qualities. When it comes to the silent flight of owls, two primary hypotheses are considered: the self-masking hypothesis and the stealth hypothesis. Consequently, our intention is to present a comprehensive review article on the aeroacoustics of owls. This paper provides a concise overview of research conducted using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) studies and visualization techniques, delving into how owls achieve silent flight and how their noise reduction mechanisms can be applied in engineering designs. The objective is to examine the distinctive physical characteristics of owls, their foraging behavior, and their ability to maintain silence in the presence of other species. Subsequently, the focus shifts to an analysis of the noise generated during owl flight, with emphasis on the geometric aspects of their wings, which play a crucial role in enabling silent flight. The subsequent sections provide an overview and summary of efforts to model the wing characteristics responsible for silent flight, as well as a description of noise reduction technologies inspired by owl features. In general, there exists a wide range of hypotheses regarding the silent flight and stealth of owls; however, the most compelling and well-supported explanations to date revolve around three key factors: the serrated structure of the wing leading edge, the velvety fibers and fringes along the trailing edge, and the combined effect of trailing edge and leading edge serrations. These factors contribute to a significant reduction in overall sound pressure levels across all angles of attack, stabilize speed fluctuations on the suction surface, and eliminate low and high-frequency sounds. Additionally, owls possess long velvety feathers on their wings, which absorb sound frequencies, and the elongated distal barbules create a multi-layered porous structure that enhances sound absorption.https://sjme.journals.sharif.edu/article_22918_67fe3f42f725fef2a3283cf595d03505.pdfaeroacousticsowl flightaeroacoustics of silent owl flight
spellingShingle M. Mozafari
M. Masdari
Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent Flight
مهندسی مکانیک شریف
aeroacoustics
owl flight
aeroacoustics of silent owl flight
title Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent Flight
title_full Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent Flight
title_fullStr Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent Flight
title_full_unstemmed Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent Flight
title_short Owl Aeroacoustics: Analysis of a Silent Flight
title_sort owl aeroacoustics analysis of a silent flight
topic aeroacoustics
owl flight
aeroacoustics of silent owl flight
url https://sjme.journals.sharif.edu/article_22918_67fe3f42f725fef2a3283cf595d03505.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT mmozafari owlaeroacousticsanalysisofasilentflight
AT mmasdari owlaeroacousticsanalysisofasilentflight