birdman

American  

[burd-man, -muhn] / ˈbɜrdˌmæn, -mən /

noun

plural

birdmen

1. an ornithologist.

2. a bird watcher.

3. a person who keeps or tends birds.

4. a person who hunts birds for food or sport; fowler.

5. Informal. aviator.

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birdman British  

/ -mən, ˈbɜːdˌmæn /

noun

1. a man concerned with birds, such as a fowler or ornithologist

2. a man who attempts to fly using his own muscle power

3. an obsolete informal name for airman

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Etymology

Origin of birdman

First recorded in 1690–1700; bird + man

Example Sentences

To be taken seriously, a birdman needed a large collection of taxidermied birds, skins and eggs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Nearby is an ancient copper plate of a birdman displayed as an example of creativity.

From Washington Post • Jul. 27, 2022

Finally, we perhaps, got some further insight into who the birdman might be or might be working for, based on the fact that he let Ray live.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2015

Or a birdman, soaring through the canyons of downtown Chicago.

From Chicago Tribune • Jun. 29, 2011

Akimi continued: “If the birdman of Alexandriaville comes back, a dozen kids should be able to hold him at bay.”

From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein