Definition:
(adjective) Describes bill curvature that turns distinctly upward. The term applies only when the entire bill is curved, not when either the culmen or mandible alone is curved. Upcurved bills are much less common than decurved bills, though they can be a good field mark for certain bird species. The degree of curving and where the curve begins are also good identification clues for birds with this trait. Depending on the bird species, upcurved bills can also help distinguish age or gender with the prominence of the curve.
Birds with distinctly upcurved bills the marbled godwit, American avocet and other avocet species.
Photo – Pied Avocet © Squeezyboy
Pronunciation:
UHP-kurhvd
Also Known As:
Upturned, Recurved
