Bird Vocabulary - S-T

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

Penguins can't fly, but they can toboggan.

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

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

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

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

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