What is the proper term for birds?

The most common and widely accepted term for referring to the class of vertebrates that includes birds is simply “birds.” Other scientific terms used include Aves or avian, while more colloquial terms may refer to them as feathered creatures or winged animals.

Birds are a diverse and fascinating group of vertebrate animals characterized by features such as feathers, wings, a beak with no teeth, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight but strong skeleton. With around 10,000 living species, they are the most numerous class of tetrapod vertebrates. Birds inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Their ability to fly allows them to exploit habitats and resources that are inaccessible to other animals. Over the course of their long evolutionary history, birds have adapted to perform a wide range of roles in ecosystems, from pollination to seed dispersal to scavenging.

When referring to this remarkable class of animals, “birds” is the simplest and most commonly used term. “Bird” traces its origins back to Old English “brid”, which was derived from the Proto-Germanic “*fuglaz” and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European “*péh2us” meaning “feather” or “winged creature”. Throughout the history of the English language, “bird” has been the standard vernacular term for referring to the feathered, flying creatures, including both wild and domesticated species.

In scientific classification, birds comprise the biological class Aves or clade Avialae. All modern scientific terminology to describe bird groups derives from Latin or Ancient Greek roots. As our knowledge of avian biology, evolution, and relationships has grown, the scientific terminology used to describe bird groups has grown more precise and complex over time. However, the informal English word “bird” has endured for centuries as the simplest and most recognizable term used to describe the animals that comprise this class.

Scientific Classification Terms

In scientific terminology, birds are members of the biological class Aves or the clade Avialae. Below are some of the common scientific terms used to describe bird groups and their definitions:

• Aves – The class that includes all modern birds as well as ancient bird-like dinosaurs such as Archaeopteryx. Aves belongs to the phylum Chordata.
• Avialae – A clade that includes modern birds as well as some non-avian dinosaurs with feathers and wings closer to modern birds than to non-avian dinosaurs.
• Neornithes – The subclass that includes all modern birds. Neornithes is divided into the infraclasses Palaeognathae and Neognathae.
• Palaeognathae – The smaller of the two infraclasses of Neornithes, which includes flightless birds like ostriches, emus and kiwis.
• Neognathae – The larger of the two infraclasses of Neornithes, which includes the vast majority of modern bird species.
• Passeriformes – The largest order of birds which includes more than half of all living bird species, such as perching birds, corvids and songbirds.
• Psittaciformes – The order that includes parrots.
• Galliformes – The order that includes landfowl like chickens, turkeys, quails and pheasants.
• Anseriformes – The order that includes ducks, geese and swans.
• Struthioniformes – The order that includes ostriches.
• Falconiformes – The order that includes falcons, eagles, hawks and vultures.

There are estimated to be around 10,000 living species of birds worldwide, divided into around 200 different families. The scientific classification system continues to be refined as our understanding of avian evolution, genetics and interrelationships improves through ongoing research and analysis.

Other Common Terms

In addition to the formal scientific terms, there are various informal and colloquial terms used to refer to birds, including:

• Feathered creatures – Refers poetically to their defining feature of feathers.
• Winged animals/creatures – Refers to their wings and ability to fly.
• Avian species – More formal term than “birds” sometimes used in biological contexts.
• Songbirds – Widely used term for the suborder Passeri of the order Passeriformes, known for their vocalizations.
• Seabirds – Birds that frequent marine habitats far from land, such as albatrosses, gulls, penguins.
• Gamebirds – Birds hunted for food or sport, like pheasants, quail, grouse.
• Waterfowl – Birds that frequent watery habitats, like ducks and geese.
• Fowl – Domesticated bird species raised for meat and eggs, like chickens, turkeys, ducks.
• Bird of prey – Carnivorous birds that hunt and feed on other animals, like hawks, eagles, falcons.
• Perching birds – Informal term for the diverse order Passeriformes that includes many common songbirds.
• Shorebirds – Birds commonly found along coasts and wetland margins, like plovers, oystercatchers, sandpipers.

These informal terms highlight some of the immense diversity found in birds and their adaptations to habitats and lifestyles across the globe. However, none have replaced “bird” as the most widely used catch-all term.

Etymology and History

The word “bird” has its roots in Proto-Germanic languages. Its predecessor was likely the Proto-Germanic term “*fuglaz” meaning “feathered creature”. This in turn derived from the Proto-Indo-European root “*péh2us” which referred to feathers or wings. As this root evolved into Old English, it became “brid”, and subsequently “bird” in Middle English. The term has maintained continuity of meaning over centuries of use in English vocabulary.

Some examples of how “bird” and its predecessors were used include:

• Old English – “brid”, “fugol”
• Old High German – “vogal”
• Old Norse – “fugl”
• Gothic – “fugls”
• Old French – “oisel”

The word’s longevity speaks to how unchanged birds are in form and function from the perspective of humans over centuries. While scientific terminology has become more complex as our knowledge has expanded, “bird” remains accessible and familiar shorthand when referring to feathered flying creatures.

The vernacular use of “bird” endures thanks to its sound symbolic quality, mimicking the high-pitched vocalizations of many bird species. This onomatopoeic resonance gives the word a playful and pleasing quality that more clinical scientific terms lack. “Bird” invokes imagery of wings, flight, feathers, eggs, nests, and songs that feels instantly recognizable.

Usage

“Bird” can be used as both a countable and a collective noun. Examples:

• Countable noun: “I saw a small bird perched on a branch.”
• Collective noun: “A flock of birds flew overhead.”

It is one of the first nouns learned by young children and commonly used in beginner books to represent the concept of animals with wings who can fly. Authors may intentionally use “bird” instead of more precise terms to evoke a sense of childhood joy and innocence.

In formal writing, scientific contexts, and precise descriptions, terms like Aves or avian may be more appropriate than the broad vernacular “bird.” However the simplicity and universality of “bird” makes it suitable for headlines, titles, and any general writing where simplicity and brevity are valued.

Common Collocations

Some common collocations and phrases using “bird” include:

• A little bird told me
• Free as a bird
• Bird’s eye view
• Bird-brained
• Bird watcher
• Flip someone the bird
• Kill two birds with one stone
• Early bird

This highlights how deeply embedded the word is in the English language and idioms.

Common Examples

Below are some examples of “bird” being used in a general sense in titles and common expressions:

• The Early Bird Catches the Worm
• The Birds and the Bees
• A Bird in the Hand (is Worth Two in the Bush)
• Birds of a Feather Flock Together
• Home for Christmas: Tales of Joy, Homecoming, and Belonging Featuring Your Favorite Birds

Conclusion

In summary, while scientific terminology for describing and classifying bird groups has become more complex over time, “bird” endures as the most common vernacular term referring to feathered, flying creatures. Its Proto-Germanic origins and onomatopoeic quality have embedded it deeply in the English language over centuries of use. The word’s accessibility, brevity, and familiarity mean “bird” remains the simplest way to refer to winged, avian species in general writing.

Scientific contexts call for terms like Aves and avian. However, for titles, headlines, and informal usage, “bird” is unrivalled as the default term for describing the diverse class of beaked, feathered, egg-laying, winged vertebrates that share our world. The long-standing vernacular use of “bird” evokes imagery and characteristics that scientific terminology cannot easily capture. Thanks to its longevity, universality, and resonance in the English language, “bird” remains the quintessential term for describing animals that fly.

Key Takeaways

• “Bird” is the standard vernacular term referring to the class of vertebrates distinguished by features like feathers, wings, specialized respiratory systems, and laying eggs.
• Scientific classifications include Aves, Avialae, and avian. These are used in technical and formal contexts.
• “Bird” has its roots in Proto-Germanic languages, derived from words referring to feathers and wings.
• The word maintains continuity of meaning while being accessible, universal, and evocative of bird imagery in the English language.
• “Bird” can be used informally or formally, for broad or precise groups. It remains the quintessential term for winged, feathered creatures.