Bird Vocabulary - S-T

Sandpiper
Defines the term “sandpiper” as a bird family with examples of sandpiper species.

Scapulars
Scapulars can be a great field mark for certain birds, and birders who understand where to see these feathers can use them for a quick identification.

Scolopacidae
Learn what birds belong in the Scolopacidae bird family and what common characteristics these worldwide birds share.

Scoter
Defines the term “scoter” as a type of duck, including examples of scoter species.

Scrape
A bird scrape is a simple type of nest, but how simple is it? Learn what a scrape looks like and what birds will build one.

Seabird
Learn exactly what a seabird is, including examples of popular seabird species.

Sea-Duck
Defines the term “sea-duck” as a type of duck, including examples of sea-duck species.

Secondary Feather
Defines the term "secondary feather" as part of a bird's wing, with tips for bird identification using secondary feathers.

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

Shorebird
Defines the term “shorebird” in terms of bird species, including examples.

Shrike
Defines the term “shrike” as related to birds of prey.

Soar
Defines the term "soar" as it relates to the flight of birds.

Spark Bird
Defines the term "spark bird" as it relates to birders and birding.

Spatulate
Defines the term "spatulate" as it relates to a bird's bill, with examples of birds with spatulate bills and tips for using bill shape for bird identification.

Speculum
Defines the term "speculum" as a part of a bird's wing, with examples of birds that have a speculum and tips for using the speculum for bird identification.

Spheniscidae
Birds in the Spheniscidae family share certain characteristics, and they are some of the most easily recognized birds in the world - even though there are fewer than 20 species. What birds are they?

Split
How can one bird species become two or more? Learn why species are sometimes split and how that can help birders with their life lists.

Stifftail
Defines the term “stifftail” as a type of duck, including examples of stifftail species.

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

Stoop
Defines the term "stoop" as a raptor hunting tactic.

Strigidae
Learn about the Strigidae family of birds, including what birds are members and what characteristics they all have in common.

Subadult
Defines the term "subadult" as it relates to birds.

Subspecies
Defines the term "subspecies" in terms of bird classifications, with examples of bird subspecies and how birders can count subspecies.

Subterminal
Defines the term “subterminal” as it refers to bird plumage and markings.

Suet
Defines the term "suet" and describes which birds eat it.

Syrinx
The "syrinx" is a bird's song box, where their beautiful music is made. Learn what makes the syrinx unique and how birds use it to sing.

Talon
Defines the term "talon" as part of a bird's anatomy, including a discussion of how birds use their talons.

Target Bird
If you want to see or attract a specific type of bird, you've got a target bird in your sights, but what is a target bird exactly?

Teal
Defines the term “teal” as a type of duck, including examples of teal species.

Tobogganing
Penguins can't fly, but they can toboggan.

Torpor
Defines the term “torpor” and gives examples of birds that enter this state.

Trochilidae
Hummingbirds are one big happy family - the "Trochilidae" bird family, to be exact. Learn more about the characteristics that all hummingbird species share.

Troglodytidae
Birds in the Troglodytidae family can be some of the most fun to watch, but they can also be frustrating to identify. Learn which birds are part of this family and what makes them special.

Tropicbird
Defines the term "tropicbird" as a type of pelagic bird, including a list of all tropicbird species.

Turdidae
Do you have Turdidae birds in your backyard? Learn which birds are part of this family, and what common characteristics they share.

Twitcher
Defines the term “twitcher” as a type of birder.

Tyrannidae
The tyrant flycatchers make up the bird family "Tyrannidae" but what characteristics do they share? Learn where these birds are located and what makes them related.

Tytonidae
The Tytonidae bird family is one closely related family of owls, but do you know which owls it includes and what characteristics they share?