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ornithologist

American  
[awr-nuh-thahl-uhj-ist] / ˌɔr nəˈθɑl ədʒ ɪst /

noun

  1. a scientist who specializes or is an expert in ornithology.


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.

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Vocabulary lists containing ornithologist

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.

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

The project began in 2020 when Jack Devlin, then a Ph.D. student, was struck by a documentary about plastic pollution before later moving to Scotland to work as a marine ornithologist.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026

When I arrive, the small team, led by ornithologist and project manager Alfonso Godino, are hard at work.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025

They began collaborating more closely in 2019, when Carle and fellow ornithologist Margaret Rubega invited researchers from across the hemisphere to meet at Mono Lake and launched the International Phalarope Working Group.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

A group of Long Island citizens led by the world-famous ornithologist Robert Cushman Murphy had sought a court injunction to prevent the 1957 spraying.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson