beak noun The hard, projecting mouthpart of a bird, used for eating, grooming, and other tasks. The parrot used its curved beak to crack open the tough seed. + talon noun A sharp, curved claw, especially one belonging to a bird of prey. The eagle sank its talons into the fish the instant it broke the water's surface. + plumage noun The feathers covering a bird, especially in terms of their color and pattern. The peacock spread its brilliant plumage to attract a mate. + feather noun One of the light, flat structures that grow from a bird's skin and form its covering. A single blue feather drifted down from the jay perched above the fence. + wing noun A limb a bird, insect, or aircraft uses to fly, or a section of a building extending from the main structure. The eagle spread its wings wide before diving toward the water. + migrate verb To move from one region or habitat to another, especially seasonally, in order to find better conditions. Thousands of geese migrate south every autumn to escape the cold. + nest noun A structure built by a bird or other animal to hold its eggs or young. A pair of robins built a nest in the gutter above our porch. + hatch verb To emerge from an egg, or for an egg to break open and release its young. The chicks hatched three weeks after the hen began sitting on the eggs. + fledgling noun A young bird that has recently grown the feathers needed to fly, or a person or organization that is new and inexperienced. The fledgling toppled out of the nest and hopped along the branch, testing its wings. + predator noun An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food. The lion is a top predator that hunts across the open savanna. + prey noun An animal that is hunted and killed by another animal for food. The zebra became easy prey once it strayed from the herd. + flock noun A group of birds, sheep, or goats that live, feed, or travel together. A flock of geese flew south in a V-formation as winter approached. + perch verb To sit or rest on the edge of something narrow or elevated, especially briefly. A sparrow perched on the windowsill and watched the room quietly. + soar verb To fly or rise high into the air smoothly, or to increase rapidly in level or amount. The eagle soared above the canyon, barely moving its wings as it circled. + glide verb To move smoothly, quietly, and with little effort, often through the air or over a surface. The eagle glided over the canyon without a single flap of its wings. + molt verb To shed old skin, feathers, hair, or an outer shell periodically as part of natural growth. Snakes molt several times a year as they grow larger. + species noun A group of living organisms that share common characteristics and can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. Scientists discovered a new species of frog deep in the rainforest. + habitat noun The place and conditions in which an organism normally lives. The hedgerow provides habitat for nesting birds. + camouflage noun Coloring or patterns that help a person, animal, or object blend into its surroundings. The soldier's camouflage made him nearly invisible against the dense brush. + nocturnal adjective Active during the night rather than the day, especially describing animals. Owls are nocturnal hunters that rely on sharp hearing to find prey in darkness. + diurnal adjective Active during the day and resting at night, or relating to daytime rather than night. Most diurnal animals, like squirrels, are active from sunrise to sunset. + raptor noun A bird of prey, such as an eagle, hawk, or falcon, that hunts other animals for food. The raptor circled high above the field, watching for any movement in the grass below. + songbird noun A bird known for producing a musical, melodic call, especially one belonging to the perching bird group. A songbird perched on the fence, filling the yard with its cheerful trill. + waterfowl noun Birds, such as ducks, geese, and swans, that live on or near water. The wetland is a protected habitat for migrating waterfowl each winter. + wingspan noun The distance between the tips of a pair of wings, measured on a bird, insect, or aircraft. The eagle's impressive wingspan allowed it to glide for miles without flapping. + incubate verb To keep eggs warm until they hatch, or to allow an idea or condition to develop gradually. The hen will incubate her eggs for about twenty-one days before they hatch. + brood verb To think anxiously and at length about something that troubles or upsets you. He spent the whole weekend brooding over the argument with his brother. + chirp verb To make a short, high-pitched sound, as small birds or insects do. Sparrows chirped noisily in the hedge outside our kitchen window every morning. + warble verb To sing or speak with a trembling, trilling sound, especially in the way small birds sing. A robin warbled cheerfully outside the window every morning in spring. + aviary noun A large enclosure or building where birds are kept for viewing, breeding, or study. The zoo's aviary housed dozens of colorful tropical birds among tall trees. +