Birding Glossary
Being familiar with common birding terms and their definitions will help you enjoy birding with ease and expertise. This collection of terms is continuously updated to provide a valuable reference for both beginning and advanced birders.
Accipiter
Defines the term “accipiter” as a bird of prey with species examples.
Defines the term “accipiter” as a bird of prey with species examples.
Altricial
Defines the term "altricial."
Defines the term "altricial."
Avian
Defines the term "avian" as an adjective and a noun.
Defines the term "avian" as an adjective and a noun.
Aviary
Defines the term "aviary."
Defines the term "aviary."
Birdbath
Defines the terms birdbath and bird bath.
Defines the terms birdbath and bird bath.
Boreal
Defines the term “boreal” as it relates to habitat and boreal birds.
Defines the term “boreal” as it relates to habitat and boreal birds.
Brood Patch
Defines the term "brood patch."
Defines the term "brood patch."
Brood
Defines the term “brood" as a noun and a verb.
Defines the term “brood" as a noun and a verb.
Buteo
Defines the term "buteo" with examples of buteo bird species.
Defines the term "buteo" with examples of buteo bird species.
Cache
Defines the term “cache” as a noun and a verb.
Defines the term “cache” as a noun and a verb.
Carnivorous
Defines the term “carnivorous” as it applies to birds, including different types of carnivores and species examples.
Defines the term “carnivorous” as it applies to birds, including different types of carnivores and species examples.
Carrion
Defines the term "carrion."
Defines the term "carrion."
Cere
Defines the term “cere” as part of a bird’s anatomy.
Defines the term “cere” as part of a bird’s anatomy.
Dabbling Duck
Defines the term "dabbling duck" with examples of dabbler species.
Defines the term "dabbling duck" with examples of dabbler species.
Dimorphic
Defines the terms dimorphic, dimorphous and sexual dimorphism.
Defines the terms dimorphic, dimorphous and sexual dimorphism.
Diving Duck
Defines the term "diving duck" with examples of species.
Defines the term "diving duck" with examples of species.
Eagle
Defines the term “eagle” as a bird of prey with specific examples.
Defines the term “eagle” as a bird of prey with specific examples.
Falcon
Defines the term “falcon” with physical characteristics and bird species.
Defines the term “falcon” with physical characteristics and bird species.
Fecal Sac
Defines the term "fecal sac."
Defines the term "fecal sac."
Fledgling
Defines the term "fledgling."
Defines the term "fledgling."
Harrier
Defines the term “harrier” as a bird of prey with species examples.
Defines the term “harrier” as a bird of prey with species examples.
Hatchling
Defines the term "hatchling."
Defines the term "hatchling."
Hawk
Defines the term “hawk” relating to birds of prey, including species examples.
Defines the term “hawk” relating to birds of prey, including species examples.
Incubation
Defines the terms "incubation" and "incubating" as they apply to birds.
Defines the terms "incubation" and "incubating" as they apply to birds.
Irruption
Defines the terms irruption, irrupt and irrupting as they relate to bird populations.
Defines the terms irruption, irrupt and irrupting as they relate to bird populations.
Kite
Defines the term “kite” as it relates to birds of prey.
Defines the term “kite” as it relates to birds of prey.
Life List
Defines the term "life list."
Defines the term "life list."
Little Brown Job
Defines the term “little brown job” or “LBJ” in birding terms.
Defines the term “little brown job” or “LBJ” in birding terms.
Migration
Defines the term "migration" as it applies to birds and explains some common migration behavior.
Defines the term "migration" as it applies to birds and explains some common migration behavior.
Monogamous
Defines the terms "monogamous" and "monogamy" as they apply to birds.
Defines the terms "monogamous" and "monogamy" as they apply to birds.
Morph
Defines the term “morph” as it applies to bird plumage.
Defines the term “morph” as it applies to bird plumage.
Nestling
Defines the term "nestling."
Defines the term "nestling."
Ornithology
Defines the terms "ornithology" and "ornithologists."
Defines the terms "ornithology" and "ornithologists."
Osprey
Defines the term “osprey” as a bird of prey.
Defines the term “osprey” as a bird of prey.
Owl
Defines the term “owl” as a type of bird of prey, including species examples.
Defines the term “owl” as a type of bird of prey, including species examples.
Perching Duck
Defines the term "perching duck" with examples of perching duck species.
Defines the term "perching duck" with examples of perching duck species.
Plumage
Defines the term “plumage.”
Defines the term “plumage.”
Precocial
Defines the term "precocial."
Defines the term "precocial."
Raptor
Defines the term “raptor” as it relates to birds, including physical characteristics and species examples.
Defines the term “raptor” as it relates to birds, including physical characteristics and species examples.
Riparian
Defines the term "riparian" as it relates to riparian birds and habitats.
Defines the term "riparian" as it relates to riparian birds and habitats.
Shrike
Defines the term “shrike” as related to birds of prey.
Defines the term “shrike” as related to birds of prey.
Subadult
Defines the term "subadult" as it relates to birds.
Defines the term "subadult" as it relates to birds.
Subterminal
Defines the term “subterminal” as it refers to bird plumage and markings.
Defines the term “subterminal” as it refers to bird plumage and markings.
Suet
Defines the term "suet" and describes which birds eat it.
Defines the term "suet" and describes which birds eat it.
Vulture
Defines the term “vulture” with bird of prey examples.
Defines the term “vulture” with bird of prey examples.
Wattles
Defines the term “wattles.”
Defines the term “wattles.”
Baby Bird Glossary
All parents know that babies have a glossary all their own, and baby birds are no different. By understanding these basic terms related to baby wild birds, it is easier to identify them and to care for them appropriately.
All parents know that babies have a glossary all their own, and baby birds are no different. By understanding these basic terms related to baby wild birds, it is easier to identify them and to care for them appropriately.