ornithologist
Americannoun
Explanation
An ornithologist is a type of zoologist who focuses on birds. If you want to know anything about our fine feathered friends, consult an ornithologist. Having a birdbath in your backyard doesn't make you an ornithologist. An ornithologist is someone who studies ornithology — the branch of science devoted to birds. Ornithologists study every aspect of birds, including bird songs, flight patterns, physical appearance, and migration patterns. Birds are genetically related to dinosaurs, which is something else an ornithologist might study.
Vocabulary lists containing ornithologist
100 SAT words Beginning with "O"
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"A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Dr. Kiat, an ornithologist who studies feathers, explains that dinosaurs split from other reptiles about 240 million years ago.
From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026
The ornithologist Roger Peterson of the famed field guides once lived and studied its birds in the area.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026
When I arrive, the small team, led by ornithologist and project manager Alfonso Godino, are hard at work.
From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025
The younger Watson originally hoped to follow his father’s passion and become an ornithologist.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025
“An ornithologist is a bird-watcher,” Mary Lou explained.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
