Bird Vocabulary - A-B

Accipiter
Defines the term “accipiter” as a bird of prey with species examples.

Accipitridae
Even beginning birders can have birds in the Accipitridae family on their life list, but what birds are part of this classification?

Aerie
Defines the term "aerie" as it relates to nesting birds of prey.

Albatross
Defines the term "albatross" as a type of seabird, including examples of albatross species.

Alcidae
Alcidae birds are instantly recognizable but can be hard to add to a life list. Learn what birds are in this scientific family and where you can find them.

Alcedinidae
Birds in the Alcedinidae family are excellent fisherman. Found worldwide, there is sure to be one of these unique birds near you, but which one?

Anatidae
Which birds are in the family Anatidae, and what characteristics do they share?

Ardeidae
Ardeidae birds are instantly recognizable, but not every wading bird is part of this distinct family. Learn what characteristics can help you easily identify Ardeidae birds.

Auriculars
Defines the term "auriculars" as part of a bird's plumage, with tips for bird identification using the auriculars.

Altricial
Defines the term "altricial."

Aves
Defines the term "aves" as part of the scientific classification of all birds, and lists common characteristics that make all birds belong to the aves class.

Aviary
Defines the term "aviary."

Auk
Defines the term "auk" as a type of pelagic bird, including examples of auk species.

Avitourism
If you've ever traveled for birding, you've participated in avitourism - but what does that mean, and how does it benefit a location to promote avitourism?

Avian
Defines the term "avian" as an adjective and a noun.

Avivorous
Defines the term "avivorous" in terms of a bird's diet, including examples of avivorous bird species and the birds they prey on.

Big Sit
If you want big birding without exertion, a Big Sit could be for you! But what is this event and how does it work?

Big Day
A "big day" can be a great competition to see the most birds, and these days are popular at birding festivals. Learn how to organize your own big day.

Big Year
A "big year" is a birding competition that many birders want to try, but few have the resources to complete. Learn more about the factors influencing a big year and what the current big year record is.

Bill
Defines the term "bill" as part of a bird's anatomy, with a discussion of bill specialization, how birds use their bills and how to identify a bird by its bill.

Avifauna
Defines the term "avifauna" with relation to bird populations and gives examples of how avifauna is used for birding and bird conservation.

Avocet
Defines the term “avocet” as a bird family, including examples of avocet species.

Breast Spot
Defines the term "breast spot" as a field mark for bird identification, including examples of birds with breast spots and how to identify birds with breast spots.

Boreal
Defines the term “boreal” as it relates to habitat and boreal birds.

Birdscaping
By birdscaping your yard you can attract many new bird species, but what is birdscaping and how do you do it?

Birdbath
Defines the terms birdbath and bird bath.

Breast
Learn where the boundaries of a bird's breast are and how seeing the breast can help with proper identification.

Bombycillidae
Bombycillidae birds can be the bomb with their jaunty crests, mysterious masks and large flocks, but what birds are part of this scientific family, and how are some different than others?

Booby
Defines the term "booby" as a type of pelagic bird, including examples of booby species.

Brood Parasite
Brood parasites can dramatically affect nesting birds, and understanding what a brood parasite is can help birders be on the lookout for this unique nesting behavior.

Brood
Defines the term “brood" as a noun and a verb.

Brood Patch
Defines the term "brood patch."

Buteo
Defines the term "buteo" with examples of buteo bird species.