Vocabulary: bird

The bird nests in colonies called rookeries. Not to be confused with rookie (a beginner).

1. a large black Eurasian crow with a bare, pale patch at the base of its bill

   A flock of rooks cawed from the bare winter trees.

2. (chess) a piece shaped like a castle tower that moves in straight lines; also called a castle

   She moved her rook to the open file.

• a large perching bird with mostly glossy black plumage, a heavy bill, and a raucous voice

  A crow cawed in a nearby tree.

Symbol of wisdom (Athena's bird). "Night owl": late-night person. Hedwig (Harry Potter) is a snowy owl. Can rotate head ~270 degrees.

• a nocturnal bird of prey with large eyes

  An owl hooted in the night.

Pink color comes from carotenoids in their diet (shrimp, algae). Often stand on one leg. Lawn flamingos: kitsch suburban yard decoration.

• a tall pink wading bird

  A flock of flamingos waded in the lake.

Famous for their ability to mimic human speech. "Polly want a cracker?" is the cliched parrot phrase.

• a tropical bird with bright feathers and a curved bill, often able to mimic sounds

  The pet store had several talking parrots.

Named for the humming sound made by its rapid wingbeats (up to 80 times per second). The only bird that can fly backward.

• a very small, brightly colored bird known for hovering in place and rapid wing movement

  A hummingbird hovered by the red flowers.

The house sparrow is one of the world's most widespread birds. Not to be confused with the sparrowhawk, a small bird of prey. Cultural references: the hymn 'His Eye Is on the Sparrow', and Captain Jack Sparrow of 'Pirates of the Caribbean'.

• a small brownish songbird commonly found in towns and gardens

  A sparrow built a nest in our porch.

• a large bird of prey that feeds chiefly on carrion (dead animals)

  Vultures circled above the carcass.

• a large water bird with a long bill and a deep pouch under it for catching and holding fish

  A pelican scooped a fish from the harbor in one swift dive.

• a fast-flying bird of prey with broad wings, short hooked beak, and excellent eyesight (e.g., the sparrowhawk)

  A hawk circled overhead, hunting for mice in the field.

Quail eggs are considered a delicacy in many cuisines.

• a small short-tailed Old World game bird

  They served roasted quail as the main course.

The largest living bird. The myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand is false but persists.

• a large flightless African bird, the largest living bird, capable of running very fast

  Ostriches can run faster than 40 mph.

Famous: Woody Woodpecker, the cartoon character.

• a bird with a strong bill and a stiff tail, that climbs tree trunks and pecks at wood

  The woodpecker drummed on the dead tree.

Named after the Canary Islands (which were themselves named after dogs, Latin canis). "Canary in a coal mine" = an early indicator of danger, from miners using canaries to detect toxic gases.

• a small bird of the finch family with a song, often kept as a pet

  The canary sang in its cage.

"Seagull" is the common everyday term; ornithologists prefer just "gull" since not all gulls live near the sea.

• a gull, especially one commonly seen near the sea

  Seagulls circled above the fishing boat.

The technical/ornithological name. Many species: herring gull, black-headed gull, etc.

• a long-winged seabird, often white and gray, with a loud cry

  A flock of gulls scavenged on the beach.

"One swallow doesn't make a summer": old proverb. Swallows migrate vast distances and were thought to herald spring.

• a small fast-flying bird with a forked tail

  Swallows nested under the eaves.

"Carrier pigeon": historical message courier. "Stool pigeon": informer. "Pigeonhole": small storage compartment, also verb for narrow categorization.

• a common bird with a small head and short legs

  Pigeons gathered in the square.

"Lame duck" = ineffectual outgoing official. "Like water off a duck's back" = no effect. "Sitting duck" = easy target. "Ugly Duckling": fairy tale.

• a water bird with webbed feet

  They fed the ducks at the pond.

Two senses: bird and machine. The machine is named after the bird's long neck. "Crane your neck": verb form for straining to see.

• a tall bird with long legs

  A crane stood in the marsh.

American term, UK preference: "cock" (which has vulgar slang sense in US). Rooster Teeth: internet entertainment company.

• an adult male chicken

  The rooster crowed at dawn.

Plural: geese (irregular). "Wild goose chase" = futile pursuit. "Cooked goose" = ruined situation. Geese honk. "Mother Goose": children's nursery rhymes.

• a large water bird

  A flock of geese flew overhead.

Plural of goose. "Mongoose" is unrelated (plural: mongooses, not mongeese!). Common spelling/grammar test.

• plural of goose

  Six geese a-laying.

• an adult female chicken or other female bird

  The hen laid three eggs this week.

"Peregrine falcon": fastest animal alive (320+ km/h in dive). "Maltese Falcon": classic noir film. SpaceX rockets ("Falcon 9").

• a fast bird of prey

  The falcon swooped down on its prey.

The bird /dʌv/. Note: 'dove' /doʊv/ is also the American past tense of 'dive'. A dove symbolizes peace.

• a bird of the pigeon family, often white and used as a symbol of peace

  A white dove was released at the ceremony.

Famous for huge swirling flocks called 'murmurations'. (Unrelated to 'starlight'.)

• a common songbird with dark, glossy, speckled feathers, often seen in large flocks

  A flock of starlings wheeled over the field at dusk.

Associated with Poe's poem 'The Raven'. 'Raven-haired' = having glossy black hair.

• a large, all-black bird of the crow family, with a deep croaking call

  A raven perched on the castle wall.

Idiom: 'proud as a peacock' describes someone who is very self-satisfied.

• a large male bird with a long tail of bright blue and green feathers that it can spread like a fan

  The peacock fanned its tail to attract a mate.

• a long-legged, long-necked wading bird that feeds on fish in shallow water

  A grey heron stood motionless at the water's edge.

Known for supposedly collecting shiny objects.

• a long-tailed crow with boldly marked plumage and a raucous voice

  A magpie flew off with a piece of foil.

'swan song' = a final performance or effort.

• a large water bird with a long flexible neck, short legs, and typically all-white plumage

  The swan glided gracefully across the lake.

• a large New World vulture with a bare head and mainly black plumage

  An Andean condor.

• a large long-tailed game bird native to Asia, the male of which typically has very showy plumage

  A roasted pheasant.

• a North American songbird, the male of which is bright red

  A cardinal landed on the bird feeder.