Bird Anatomy

Additional Bird Information Bird Clip Art Types of Birds

Anyone undertaking the study of a new subject, including birds, faces the challenge of learning a new vocabulary.

Basic bird identification, for example, often requires a working knowledge of basic bird anatomy. Often times, the words used to describe the parts of birds can be learned over time by reading bird guides and engaging in conversations with fellow birders.

This brief article begins the process by providing a straight forward presentation on the topic. The picture at the top of the page shows a generic bird with text that labels its different parts from head to toe.

The head consists of a crown, forehead, lores, chin, throat, auriculars and nape. The heads of all birds also have eyes and the bills, however no text is attached to them in the picture.

The front part of the bird usually gets described in terms of the breast, belly, sides and flanks.

The back of the bird usually is divided between a back and rump.

Descriptions of bird feathers often cause confusion for many novice and advanced birders. The top parts of the wings commonly divide into lesser coverts, greater coverts and scapulars. The bottom parts of the wings commonly divide into primaries, secondaries and tertials. Upper-tail coverts and tail feathers are terms that differentiate between parts of the tail.

The tibia and tarsus are the two most prominent leg and bone structures. The shape and form of the bird's toes also serves as distinguishing anatomical properties of different bird species.

© 2009. Patricia A. Michaels