1. Hobbies & Games

Bird Vocabulary - H-K

Glossary of bird and birding vocabulary terms starting with letters H-K. Each definition includes pronunciation, examples, synonyms and other information as appropriate.

Habitat

Defines the term "habitat" as it relates to bird environments, including examples of bird habitats.

Harrier

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

Hatchling

Defines the term "hatchling."

Hawk

Defines the term “hawk” relating to birds of prey, including species examples.

Hawking

Defines the term "hawking" as a type of bird foraging, with tips for how to observe hawking birds and examples of bird species that practice hawking.

Hood

Defines the term "hood" as a birding field mark, with examples of birds with hoods and tips for how to identify birds using the hood.

Hybrid

Defines the term "hybrid" as it relates to bird reproduction, mating and hybrid bird species, with tips for identifying hybrids.

Hyperphagia

Defines the term "hyperphagia" as it relates to bird behavior and migration, with tips for how backyard birders can help hyperphagic birds.

Icteridae

You have probably seen more Icteridae birds than you think, as this scientific bird family is highly diverse and contains many beautiful species.

Incubation

Defines the terms "incubation" and "incubating" as they apply to birds.

Insectivorous

Defines the term "insectivorous" in terms of a bird's diet, with examples of insectivorous bird species.

Iridescent

Defines the term "iridescent" as it applies to bird plumages, with tips for how to properly observe bird iridescence for identification.

Irruption

Defines the terms irruption, irrupt and irrupting as they relate to bird populations.

Keratin

Defines the term "keratin" as it relates to birds, including what parts of a bird include keratin and how keratin abnormalities can cause problems for birds.

Kettle

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

Kite

Defines the term “kite” as it relates to birds of prey.

Krill

Krill is an important food source for pelagic birds. Learn more about these crustaceans.

Discuss in my forum

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.