(Noun. /or-nuh-THAW-luh-jee/)
by Colleen Steward
What does it mean?
Ornithology is a field of science that focuses on birds. Someone who studies birds either in the laboratory or in nature is called an ornithologist. While scientists in the lab may closely study feather and skeletal samples, field researchers document the behavior, calls, distribution, and migration patterns of birds in their natural habitat.
How do I use it in a sentence?
Sam was passionate about birds and decided to pursue a career in ornithology.
Etymology
“Ornithology” comes from the Latin word “ornithologia” meaning “bird science.”
Fields of study in which this word is commonly used:
Biology
Zoology
Ecology