Ohio Bird Sanctuary Terminology

Question 1

Mews

Answer 1

enclosures designed to house one or more birds of prey

Question 2

Jesses

Answer 2

thin straps, traditionally made from leather, used to tether a bird

Question 3

Tether

Answer 3

a rope used to tie a bird to a fixed place so it can move freely in a small area

Question 4

Anklets(aylemeri)

Answer 4

pieces of leather equipment around the bird’s ankles that the jesses are thread through

Question 5

Bate

Answer 5

a bird’s attempt to leave a fist or perch by jumping or flapping the wings

Question 6

Flyaway

Answer 6

area outside an enclosure that is attached to the door so that if a bird escapes their enclosure, they are still contained in an area

Question 7

Crop

Answer 7

part of a bird’s digestive system that is expanded muscular pouch near the gullet or throat; temporarily stores food

Question 8

Nares

Answer 8

bird nostrils

Question 9

Hood

Answer 9

piece of equipment made out of leather that is put on the birds head (over their eyes)

Question 10

Primary Feathers

Answer 10

main flight feathers projecting along the outer edge of the bird wing; usually 10 on a bird

Question 11

Secondary Feathers

Answer 11

closest feathers on wing to body; number varies on a bird

Question 12

Down feathers

Answer 12

layer of fine feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers

Question 13

Keel

Answer 13

extension of the sternum (breastbone); provides an anchor where bird’s flight muscles attach; can determine bird’s body condition by checking the point or muscle thickness around it

Question 14

Fledgling

Answer 14

young bird that is old enough to leave the nest and is beginning to care for itself; these birds have feathers, short tails, and can perch, hop, or walk but cannot fly yet

Question 15

Nestling

Answer 15

a young bird not yet old enough to leave the nest; these birds will have little to no feathers

Question 16

Flat fly

Answer 16

a parasite that hides in the plumage of birds and sucks their blood; usually found on sick or compromised birds

Question 17

Plumage

Answer 17

a layer of feathers that covers a bird; includes the pattern, color, and arrangement of feathers

Question 18

Mute

Answer 18

what comes out the rear end; includes three parts, which are fecal, urate, and urine

Question 19

Fecal

Answer 19

semi solid mass, frequently this is colored

Question 20

Urate

Answer 20

white, chalky material; the crystalline uric acid that is the result of protein metabolism

Question 21

Urine

Answer 21

clear water that flushes the waste from the system