Birdword is a recurring characteristic in Residing Hen journal. Subscribe now.
They’re typically referred to as technical phrases, eight-dollar-words, jargon, or simply plain gobbledygook. However hidden inside these multisyllabic ornithological utterances are keys to fascinating behaviors, time machines to take you again to historical Greek and Latin, and sly insights to the minds of scientists at work.
On this recurring characteristic by illustrator Rosemary Mosco we break down just a few of the “birdwords” we take pleasure in probably the most. (Mosco took over our Birdword column in 2024; you may additionally like our archive of pre-2024 Birdwords written by Residing Hen employees writers.)
Loafing
Loafing: verb. Sitting or standing round for a time frame with out participating in feeding or breeding actions. Many birds collect to do that in devoted loafing areas.
Featured in Residing Hen, Summer time 2025.
Polymorphism
Polymorphism: noun. When one species incorporates two or extra kinds of people (morphs) that differ by coloration or different bodily traits unrelated to intercourse, age, locality, or season.
Featured in Residing Hen, Spring 2025.
Snow Roosting
Snow Roosting: verb. Tunneling into snow to maintain heat and keep away from predators; finished by grouse and ptarmigan species.
Featured in Residing Hen, Winter 2025.
Zugunruhe
Zugunruhe: noun. Migratory restlessness; when songbirds are able to migrate, they actually can not sit nonetheless.
Featured in Residing Hen, Autumn 2024.
Anting
Anting: verb. Utilizing ants, both by permitting them to run via feathers or intentionally rubbing them on feathers, presumably to discourage ectoparasites.
Featured in Residing Hen, Summer time 2024.
Brood Parasite
Brood parasite: noun. A fowl that lays eggs within the nests of the identical or a special species leaving the ensuing younger to be raised fully by the host(s).
Featured in Residing Hen, Spring 2024.
Regional Heterothermy
Regional Heterothermy: noun. The potential to let some components of the physique get chilly whereas sustaining core physique temperature. Right here’s extra about how seabirds preserve from getting chilly toes.
Featured in Residing Hen, Winter 2024.
Concerning the Creator
Rosemary Mosco is an creator, illustrator, and speaker whose work connects individuals with the pure world. Her newest ebook is The Birding Dictionary, a tongue-in-cheek information for bird-obsessed individuals accessible from Workman Publishing.
She’s written and drawn for the New York Occasions, Audubon, the PBS present Elinor Wonders Why, the Outdated Farmer’s Almanac for Youngsters, Ranger Rick, and extra. She creates acclaimed science books for youths and adults and makes the character comedian Hen and Moon, which received the Nationwide Cartoonists Society’s award for Finest On-line Quick Type Comedian and was the topic of an award-winning museum exhibit. Her local weather change comics had been exhibited at AAAS headquarters and the Peabody Essex Museum. She provides participating talks and workshops to teams of all ages.
