Carolina Raptor Center

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Absorbable	Referring to suture material that degrades within a few weeks after being placed.
Accipiter	Genus of long-tailed woodland hawks with short, rounded wings Examples include the Northern Goshawk, the Cooper's hawk and the sharp-shinned hawk.
After Hatching Year (AHY)	An adult bird whose exact age cannot be determined by feather coloration.
After Second Year (ASY)	An adult bird, usually at least 18 months old, which has gone through at least two molts.
Airsacs	Membrane-bound sacs in the body which increase the volume of air a bird is able to inhale.
Albinism	Genetic condition resulting in the inability to make melanin (pigment). Characteristics include pale skin and feathers and red eyes. Animals with this condition are referred to as albino.
Alula (Bastard Wing)	Several feathers protruding at the leading edge of the wing used to cut down on stalling at low flight speeds. These feathers are supported by the rudimentary thumb.
Anisodactyl	Describes the position of the toes on the foot found in many raptor species, three toes pointing forward and one backwards.
Anorexia	Prolonged loss of appetite.
Anterior	Towards the front.
Anticoagulant	Chemical additive such as Heparin or EDTA, designed to prevent blood from clotting; useful for certain blood tests that require un-clotted blood.
Apteria	Area on the body of a bird devoid of feathers.
Aqueous	Clear liquid filling the anterior (front) chamber of the eye.
AROM	Active range of motion such as flight cage training.
Auriculars	Feathers covering the ears.
Aylmeries	Leather anklets fitted around the bird's legs.
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B
BID	Twice a day.
Bactericidal	Ability of a chemical compound to kill bacteria
Bacteriostatic	Ability of a chemical compound to stop bacteria from multiplying without killing them.
Band	Special metal bracelet, which is issued by the Bird Banding Laboratory, and fitted around a birds' leg as a permanent identification marker. Federal permit is required to obtain and apply bands. Rehabilitators and the general public should report sightings or recoveries by calling 1-800-327-2263 (number is stamped on the newer bands) or by logging onto the website - bbl@usgs.gov.
Bate	Behavior: attempting to fly from a perch or a fist while tethered.
Bilateral	Referring to both limbs.
Blood Feather	A growing feather encased in a thin sheath, often blue in coloration due to the rich blood supply; if such a feathers breaks, strong external bleeding and permanent damage to the feather can result.
Bolus	Large amount of fluid administered within a short time period.
Booted eagles	Group of eagles whose legs are feathered to their toes. Golden eagles are representatives of the booted eagle group.
Branching	Natural tendency of young owls to leave the nest before they are capable of flying and to perch on branches. They are often seen on these branches in broad daylight. The birds will often end up on the ground and start climbing trees using talons, beak and wings. At this stage in their lives the youngsters are often mistaken for orphans, when in fact the parents are still feeding and protecting their offspring until they are fully capable of flight.
Broodpatch	Bare area on the chest found during breeding season, usually in females, which do most of the incubation. The small feathers in the area fall out or are plucked and the skin becomes thickened and very vascular. Eggs and nestlings are now in closer contact with the incubating adult and body heat is transferred more readily.
Buffy	The light, creamy-colored layer of cells at the top of the column of blood in a micro-hematocrit tube, after it has been spun down. This consists, primarily, of the white blood cells. It can be used as a very rough determination of the number of white cells in the blood, and therefore indicate whether a bird has an infection or not.
Bumblefoot	Generic term for infections of the feet; relatively common in captive diurnal raptors; usually the result of a combination of factors such as inadequate perches, improper diet, overweight bird, or injury to one foot, leg or toe.
Buteo	Genus of large, bulky hawks with broad wings and wide short tails Red-tailed hawks and red-shouldered hawks are examples of buteos.
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C
Caching	Behavioral pattern of storing captured and killed prey in hiding places for later consumption.
Callus	Deposition of fibrous and/or bony material around a fracture site. After the initial healing phase, a callus may be "remodeled" for many months to achieve its final shape and size.
Carrion	Dead and rotting flesh.
Casting	Any regurgitated material such as a pellet or partially digested food.
Cataract	Cloudy area in the lens of the eye, which can be caused by trauma and is often progressive, eventually leading to blindness.
Cere	Soft fleshy and often brightly colored area at the base of the upper mandible.
Choanae	Slit-like opening in the roof of the mouth; a connection to the sinuses, which allows the bird to breathe through the nares with its mouth closed.
Cloaca	Common chamber into which urinary, intestinal and genital tracts open.
Clutch	Group of eggs.
Comminuted	Description of a fracture in which bone is shattered into multiple pieces.
Commissure of the mouth	The fleshy corner at the back of the mouth, where the upper and lower beak meet.
Compound	Description of a fracture where skin is torn and the bone is exposed.
Cones	Light-sensitive cells in the retina, important for color vision and sharp images.
Contralateral	Referring to the opposing limb.
Coping	Process of trimming and shaping beak and talons.
Cosmopolitan	Occurring in many parts of the world; widely distributed
Coverts	Small cover feathers on the wings, body, and tail.
Cream	Water-based topical medication.
Crepuscular	Active in the twilight.
Crop	Food storage chamber in the lower neck region, basically a portion of the esophagus which is very distensible and can accommodate large amount of food; not found in owls.
Culmen	Bill length from the tip of the upper beak to the border of the cere and beak.
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D
Debride	To remove dead or dying tissue and foreign material from a wound.
Display	Behavior that serves to communicate a message (e.g., mating, threat, food begging, etc.); it is ritualized with movements or body postures being very characteristic.
Distal	Away from the midline of the body (See proximal)
Diurnal	Active during the day (See nocturnal).
Dorsal	On the back side (See ventral)
Double clutching	Removal of the first set of eggs to stimulate production of a second set; often done with endangered species to increase the number of young produced.
Dysphagia	Difficulty in swallowing.
Dyspnea	Labored breathing.
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E
EOD	Every other day.
Eagle	Large bird of prey of the genus Aquila and Haliaeetus; grouped by size.
Emaciation	Starvation; common secondary problem in injured raptors and often fatal; apparent by checking the amount of muscle mass at the breastbone.
Emargination	Notching in outermost primaries.
Etiology	Cause of injury.
Eyas	Nestling bird, usually referring to a hawk or falcon.
Eyrie	est of a bird of prey, especially a diurnal raptor.
Exudate	Discharge produced by a wound, often pus or serum.
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F
Facial Disk	Arrangement of feathers around each eye to form a funnel-like depression; aids in sound reception.
Falcon	Bird of prey of the genus Falco; possess long, pointed wings; adapted for swift flight
Falconry	Ancient sport of hunting game with hawks and falcons which are trained to return to their master; still practiced in many parts of the world including North Carolina. Federal and state licenses required.
Fault Bar	Area of weakness in a feather caused by stress such as nutritional deficiency during the growth of that feather, excessive handling, or steroid use.
Feak	Behavior: rubbing beak against hard surface to clean it
Filoplumes	Hair-like feathers on the facial area of most birds.
Fledge	Young leaving the nest, usually before they can sustain flight.
Follicle	The tissue that produces a feather.
Fovea	Area on the retina where the sharpest vision occurs; 1 or 2 foveas in each eye, depending on the species.
Fratricide	Phenomenon occurring in times of food shortages in wild nests; the older and usually much stronger sibling(s) will kill later-born smaller offspring.
Furcula	Another name for the two fused clavicle bones located between the shoulders and upper keel bone; also called wishbone.
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G
Gape	Opening of the mouth by young during food begging to adults.
Generalist	Able to use a wide variety of resources such as food or habitat (see specialist)
Glottis	Opening to the trachea and respiratory system, located just behind the base of the tongue.
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H
Habitat	Area or environment where an animal usually occurs
Hacking	Process of placing young, non-flighted birds in an outdoor cage or artificial nest site and confining them until they are able to fly; the doors are opened at that point and birds return to be fed until independent; very important technique for reintroduction projects, especially of endangered species, since sexually mature birds will often return to where they fledged or learned to fly, not to where they were born.
Hallux	The toe pointing backwards, designated as number one.
Harrier	Any of a number of slender, long-legged hawks, such as the northern harrier.
Hatching Year (HY)	A bird capable of sustained flight and known to have hatched during the current calendar year.
Hawk	Bird of prey, especially of the genus Buteo or Accipter; possess curved bill and sharp talons
Hemoglobin	The chemical compound in red blood cells that carries oxygen molecules.
Hematocrit	Synonymous to Packed cell volume, the percentage of red blood cells in a blood sample that has been centrifugated.
Hematoma	Accumulation of blood under the skin.
Hood	Covering for a bird's head, made of leather, that reduces visual stimuli and calms the bird.
Hook	The distance from the lower mandible to the tip or point of the upper beak. This is measured when the beak is closed.
Hypernea	Abnormally rapid and deep breathing.
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I
Imping	Replacing broken feathers with "new" ones saved from previous molts or from feathers of other birds.
Imprinting	A rapid learning process occurring very early in an animal's life during a short critical or sensitive period which establishes a behavior pattern such as recognition of it's own kind; imprinting is considered to be irreversible.
Integument	Skin
Intramuscular (IM)	Injected in a muscle.
Intraosseous (IO)	Injected into a bone.
Intravenous (IV)	Injected into a vein.
Iris	Colored portion of the eye, a muscular diaphragm or ring which controls the amount of light reaching the retina.
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J
Jesses	Short leather straps attached to a bird's alymeries. Used on non-releasable birds of prey used for education.
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K
Keel	Breastbone and the site of attachment of the large flight muscles; very prominent in emaciated birds.
Kettle	Term used to describe a group of hawks flying together, usually during migration.
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L
Lateral	Towards either side, away from the midline (see medial).
Leucism	Genetic condition that results in diluted pigmentation. Birds appear lighter in coloration than normal. An animal with this condition is leucistic.
Local (L)	Age designation given to young birds incapable of sustained flight.
Luxation	Dislocation
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M
Malar stripe	Dark lines underneath the eyes of falcons
Mandible	The lower beak.
Mantling	The spreading of wings and tail while feeding in an effort to hide prey from competitors; often accompanied by loud vocalizations.
Maxilla	The upper beak.
Medial	Towards the center or midline of the body (see lateral).
Menace Reflex	A birds' response to an object approaching its eyes; only exhibited in diurnal birds.
Metacarpals	Also called carpometacarpus, the few remaining wrist and finger bones that support the outer 10 flight feathers.
Metatarsus	Lowest part of the leg, formed by the fusion of ankle bones. Also called tarsometatarsus.
Migration	Movement of animals from one region to another
Mobbing	Aggressive behavior often displayed by small birds towards raptors.
Molt	Annual loss and replacement of many or all feathers.
Monogamy	Having only one mate during the breeding season, or during the pair's lifetime (see polyandry, polygamy and polygyny)
Mustache Mark	Dark facial marking below the eyes found in most falcons.
Mutes	Droppings, fecal material.
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N
Nape	Back of the neck.
Nares	Openings to the nasal cavity, located in the cere.
Necropsy	Autopsy on an animal.
Nictitating Membrane	A third, translucent eyelid which lubricates and cleans the cornea and protects the eye from injury by the nestlings during feeding.
Nocturnal	Active at night (See diurnal).
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O
Oblique	Term used to describe a type of fracture in which bones break at an angle, such that elongated, very sharp fragments are created.
Occipital Condyle	The "socket" at the base of the skull into which a part of the first neck vertebra fits; only one condyle is found in raptors, which partly accounts for the head mobility.
Ocellus	Marking that resemble an eye
OD	Right eye, from the latin oculus dexter
Ointment	Oil-based topical medication.
Opthalmic	Pertaining to the eye.
Ophthalmoscope	Hand-held instrument used to examine the internal features of the eye.
Orally	By mouth (PO). Route of fluid or treatment administration.
OU	each eye (both eyes), from the latin oculus uterque
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P
PO	From the latin per os, meaning by mouth. Route of administration of fluids or medications.
Packed Cell Volume (PCV)	The percentage of red blood cells in a sample of blood, measured after centrifugation.
Pair Bonding	Certain characteristic behavior patterns displayed each year to strengthen the bond between a male and female.
Palpate	To examine by touching, using your hands.
Patagium	Thin membrane stretched out between humerus (upper arm) and radius & ulna (lower arm) forming the leading edge of the wing.
Pecten	Structure in the back of the eye resembling a mountain range whose function is not completely understood.
Pellet	Regurgitated "ball of fur" often also containing bones and teeth of prey.
Plasma	The liquid portion at the top of a blood sample after centrifugation, if blood has been prevented from clotting through the addition of an anticoagulant such as heparin.
Plumage	Entire set of feathers.
Pneumatized	Filled with air, referring to bones.
Polyandry	Matting pattern when an individual female mates with more than one male in a single breeding season
Polygamy	Mating pattern where an individual mates with more than one individual of the opposite sex in a single breeding season.
Polygyny	Mating pattern where an individual male mates with more than one female in a single breeding season.
Posterior	Towards the back.
Preen	Using the beak to clean the feathers.
Primaries	10 outermost wing feathers which provide forward thrust necessary for flight (the propeller).
PROM	Passive range of motion - controlled, slow movements of a limb, as during physical therapy.
Proximal	Nearest to the midline of the body (See distal).
Pteryla	Feathers do not emerge randomly all over the body of a bird, but rather grow in rows called pterylae.
Pupillary Light Reflex (PLR)	Contraction of the iris when light strikes the retina.
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Q
QID	Administered four times per day.
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R
Radiograph	Another name for X-ray.
Radius	Smaller of the two bones in the "forearm" of the wing.
Raptor	A bird of prey: hawk, owl, eagle, falcon, vulture, kite, harrier, osprey, etc.
Reading	The-to-side movement one sometimes sees in a bird which has had some form of neurological damage, such as a concussion. The bird moves its head back and forth, as if it is "reading" newsprint.
Refractometer	Piece of handheld medical equipment used to measure the amount of protein in blood plasma.
Remiges	All wing feathers (primaries and secondaries).
Retrices	All tail feathers.
Rods	Light-sensitive cells in the retina, important for vision under low light conditions.
Roughage	Fur, feathers, etc. in prey food.
Rouse	Behavior: raising the feathers and then shaking them; often part of preening
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S
SID	Administered once per day.
SQ	Subcutaneous or under the skin. Route of fluid administration, under
Scapulars	A group of small to medium-sized feathers originating at the shoulder.
Sclerotic Ossicles	Small bones forming a ring around the eye which support the eye
Sea eagles	Group of eagles that are associated with water habitats. The bald eagle is a representative of this eagle group.
Secondaries	A group of 11-19 wing feathers adjacent to the primaries that provide the lift necessary for flight.
Serum	The liquid portion at the top of a blood sample that was allowed to clot.
Sexual Dimorphism	Size and color differences between male and female birds.
Simple	Term used to describe a fracture in which skin is not broken (opposite of compound).Specialist Uses limited resources for food and habitat (see generalist)
Spiral	Term used to describe type of bone fracture
Stoop	Fast descent used when pursuing prey
Subcutaneous (SQ)	Route of fluid administration, under the skin.
Substrate	Flooring material in a cage.
Supraorbital Ridge	Bony ridge above the eye found in most diurnal raptors.
Synechia	Iris tissue that has attached to the lens of the eye, usually the result of traumatic injuries.
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T
TID	Administered three times per day.
TP	Total proteins or total solids in the serum of the blood.
Talon	Claw, toenail.
Tarsus	Lowest part of the bird's leg formed by the fusion of ankle bones.
Tomial tooth	Triangular shaped, downward pointing projection located on the outer edge of the upper mandible of falcons. Used to sever the spinal cord of their prey.
Topical	On the skin
Total Protein (TP)	(Or total solids); the amount of protein in the serum of the blood.
Transverse	Describes a fracture perpendicular to the long axis of a bone (straight across)
Triangulation	The act of locating the source of a sound or an object by moving the head side-to-side or up-and-down. The receptors (eyes or ears) are moved to collect information from different angles and the brain is able to calculate the origin of the signal.
Turbinate	Small "knob" located within each nare.
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U
Ulna	The larger of the bones in the "forearm" of the wing
Undermining	Technique of separating superficial layer of skin from underlying tissue to allow surgical closure.
Unilateral	Referring to one limb only.
Uropygial gland	Oil gland at the base of the tail, which produces conditioner used to help maintain feathers.
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V
Vent	Cloacal opening. The opening through which bodily wastes are eliminated, both intestinal and kidney. Also the opening through which sperm enters and eggs are laid.
Ventral	On the underside.
Vitreous	Clear substance filling the posterior (back) chamber of the eye.
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W
Wing Chord	The distance from the "wrist" joint to the tip of the longest primary; measured on a folded wing. Some species (such as Cooper's hawks) can be sexed by this measurement.
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X
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Y
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Z
Zoonoses	Diseases found in animals that can be transmitted to humans
Zygodactyl	Describes the position of toes on the foot of owls and ospreys, with two toes pointing forward and two pointing backwards.