Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for ornithologist. Search instead for ornithologists.

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.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

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.

See Examples For:

Among those hoping to catch a glimpse of the bird near the Anglesey Wall on Sunday was ornithologist and artist Richard Partis.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 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

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

Carle, an ornithologist who grew up in Lee Vining, first got to know the lake’s birds through his parents, who were rangers at the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2025

Since 1934 its single eagle nest has been under observation by Professor Herbert H. Beck, an ornithologist of Lancaster and custodian of the sanctuary.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training