Bird Vocabulary - P-R

Defines the term palynivorous in terms of what birds eat, including examples of palynivorous bird species.

More than half the world's bird species are classified as passerines, but what is a passerine and what characteristics do these birds share? Includes examples of familiar passerines.

Defines the term "patagium" as part of a bird's wing, including tips for identifying birds based on patagial marks.

Defines the term "pelagic" as it relates to birds, with examples of pelagic bird species.

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

Defines the term "perching duck" with examples of perching duck species.

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

Defines the term "pied" as it relates to bird plumage and coloration, with examples of pied bird species.

Defines the term "piscivorous" in terms of a bird's diet, including examples of piscivorous bird species and how piscivores affect local fishing.

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

Defines the term “plumage.”

Defines the term "plumes" as a type of feather, with examples of how plumes are part of bird plumage and what birds have plumes.

Defines the terms “polygamous” and “polygamy” as they apply to birds.

Penguins can't fly, but they do get airtime by porpoising.

Defines the term "precocial."

Defines the term "primary feather" as part of a bird's wing, with tips for identifying birds by primaries.

Defines the term "puffin" as a type of seabird, including a list of all puffin species.

Defines the term “raptor” as it relates to birds, including physical characteristics and species examples.

Defines the term "rictal bristles" as a type of feather, including details about the purpose of rictal bristles and examples of birds that have them.

Defines the term "riparian" as it relates to riparian birds and habitats.

Defines the term "rookery" as it relates to birds' breeding ranges, including examples of bird species that nest in rookeries and how a rookery can cause problems for nearby human habitation.

Defines the term "rump" as part of a bird's anatomy, with tips for how to identify birds based on the rump.