Bird Vocabulary - A-B

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

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

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

Defines the term "altricial."

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

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

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

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.

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

Defines the term "aviary."

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

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?

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

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

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.

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.

Defines the terms birdbath and bird bath.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Defines the term "brood patch."

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