How to name bird body parts
5 minute read
This ID guide provides some common language and terms used to describe bird body features in field guides.
Explainer
From clockwise:
Crown - top of the head
Eye-ring - skin and feathers around eye that are in a circular shape
Nape - back of the neck
Back - upper body
Secondaries - inner flight feathers
Primaries - outer flight feathers
Rump - above the tail
Under tail covets - under and base of the tail
Belly - underside of the body below the breast
Breast - front of the body below the throat
Throat - under the beak
Lore - between eye and upper beak
Test your skills
Here’s an image of a Silvereye. Use the diagram above to test your skills. What body parts of the Silvereye can you name?
Weekend Birder episodes
Learn more about birds in these short podcast episodes:
07 Little Brown Birds - with Ricki
31 Ravens and Crows - with Sean
