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Birds - Glossary
Wingspan
The measurement from one wing tip to the other when the wings are ...
Roost
Sleep. The place where birds sleep is also called a roost. Some birds ...
Predator
A bird or other animal that hunts and kills birds or animals for food.
Plumage
A bird's covering of feathers.
Nocturnal birds
Birds such as most owls that are active at night, hunting for food.
Nestling
A young chick in the nest, unable to fly or feed itself.
Moulting
The shedding of feathers, usually once or twice a year. In most ...
Migration
Long-distance journeys made by some birds, according to the seasons, ...
Length
Birds are measured from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail, ...
Lek
An area where male birds gather to display to females in the breeding ...
Incubate
To keep an egg at the right temperature, usually about 35°C, for the ...
Glide
To fly with wings kept still and stretched out.
Flock
A large group of birds moving around together.
Fledgling
A young bird that has just started to fly.
Diurnal birds
Birds that are active during the day and sleep at night.
Crop
A pouch-like part of the gullet of many birds in which food is stored ...
Crepuscular birds
Birds such as woodcock that are most active at dawn and dusk, when ...
Coverts
The feathers covering the bases of the wing and tail feathers. The ...
Courtship display
Special behaviour to attract a mate. It may involve showing off ...
Colony
A group of birds of the same species nesting close together.
Clutch
The number of eggs a bird lays at one time.
Camouflage
Plumage colours and patterns that blend with a bird's background and ...
Breeding season
The time of year, usually spring, when birds find a mate, build a ...
Breeding plumage
The plumage during the courtship and nesting season. In most species, ...
Bill
Another word for beak.