Bird Vocabulary - C-D

Cache
Defines the term “cache” as a noun and a verb.

Cardinalidae
That cardinals belong to the Cardinalidae bird family is no surprise, but do you know what other colorful birds are also family members?

Carnivorous
Defines the term “carnivorous” as it applies to birds, including different types of carnivores and species examples.

Carrion
Defines the term "carrion."

Cathartidae
Cathartidae birds aren't the prettiest species, but they're invaluable raptors that keep nature clean. Which birds are they, and where can you see them?

Cavity-Nesting
Defines the term "cavity-nesting" as it applies to bird nests and reproduction, with examples of cavity-nesting bird species.

Cere
Defines the term “cere” as part of a bird’s anatomy.

Charadriidae
Plovers are all in the Charadriidae bird family, but how many species are there? Learn what characteristics birds in this family all share.

Chin
Defines the word "chin" as part of a bird's anatomy, with tips for bird identification using the chin.

Cloaca
The cloaca is an important part of a bird's anatomy for digestion and reproduction; learn how this often unseen part of a bird helps bird banders learn the gender of birds, and what role it plays in bird mating.

Colonial
Discussion of bird colonial behavior as it relates to breeding and reproduction, including advantages and disadvantages and examples of colonial bird species.

Columbidae
All doves and pigeons belong to the bird family "Columbidae" but do you know how many species there are or what characteristics they share? Learn why all these birds are related.

Coniferous
Defines the term "coniferous" as it relates to bird habitat and trees for birds.

Corvid
Every birder has seen at last one corvid, but do you know what birds are considered corvids, and what makes them special?

Corvidae
Learn about the Corvidae bird family, including what unique characteristics these highly intelligent birds share and what species are part of this large famiy.

Countershading
Birds with countershading have a specific type of coloration pattern in their feathers that helps with camouflage. Learn more about countershading, including examples of birds with countershaded plumage.

Coverts
Learn what a bird's coverts are, why these feathers are important and how you can use them for proper bird identification.

Crepuscular
When is a crepuscular bird most active, and what birds are crepuscular?

Crest
Defines the term "crest" as part of a bird's plumage, with examples of crested birds and tips for identification based on a bird's crest.

Crop
The crop is an important part of a bird's digestive system, but not all birds have one. Which birds do, and how do they use it?

Crop Milk
Defines the terms crop milk and bird milk, including nutritional information and what birds use crop milk to feed their young.

Crown
Defines the term "crown" as part of a bird's anatomy, including tips for identifying birds based on the crown.

Cull
Defines the term "cull" as it relates to culling birds, including how and why birds are culled.

Culmen
Defines the term "culmen" as part of a bird's bill, with tips for how to identify birds using the culmen.

Dabbling Duck
Defines the term "dabbling duck" with examples of dabbler species.

DDT
Defines the term "DDT" and discusses the infamous pesticide and its effect on birds.

Deciduous
Defines the term "deciduous" as it relates to bird habitat and trees for birds.

Decurved
Bird bills can be decurved, and understanding that term can help you properly identify birds with decurved bills.

Die-Off
Defines the term "die-off" as it relates to massive bird fatalities.

Dimorphic
Defines the terms dimorphic, dimorphous and sexual dimorphism.

Diurnal
Defines the term "diurnal" with examples of types of diurnal birds.

Diving Duck
Defines the term "diving duck" with examples of species.

Domestic Duck
Defines the term “domestic duck” in relation to waterfowl with examples of species and where they are typically found.

Down
Defines the term "down" as a type of bird feathers, including discussion of down in both juvenile and mature birds.

Drake
Defines the term "drake" as a type of duck, with details of how drakes and hens are different.

Dromaiidae
There is only one bird in the Dromaiidae family, but it is a unique and distinctive species native to Australia but familiar worldwide.