rectrix

[rek-triks]

noun

Ornithology.

plural

rectrices 

1. one of the tail feathers of a bird controlling direction during flight.

rectrix

/ rɛkˈtrɪʃəl, ˈrɛktrɪks /

noun

1. any of the large stiff feathers of a bird's tail, used in controlling the direction of flight

Other Word Forms

• rectricial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectrix¹

1605–15; < Latin rēctrīx, feminine of rēctor rector

Word History and Origins

Origin of rectrix¹

C17: from Late Latin, feminine of rector governor, _rector

Example Sentences

Description.—Above clear cinereous; lores and short superciliaries whitish; well-defined nape-patch bright rufous; wings brownish; upper tail-coverts and tail black, outer margin of outer rectrix white: below clear cinereous white, brighter on lower belly, crissum, and under wing-coverts; bill and feet black: whole length 6·5 inches, wing 4·0, tail 2·8.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above greyish brown, lores and slight superciliaries whitish; tail-coverts and tail black, the outer web of the outer rectrix white; below pale greyish white, whiter on the belly and crissum; bill black, with the base of the lower mandible yellowish; feet black: whole length 5·5 inches, wing 3·4, tail 2·4.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above greyish olive, lores and superciliary stripe whitish; wings blackish, with whitish edgings to the coverts and outer secondaries; tail blackish; outer web of the external rectrix and broad tips of the four external pairs white; beneath pale yellow; bill and feet black: whole length 5·8 inches, wing 2·3, tail 3·0.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above black, upper wing-coverts crossed by a row of white spots; the outer rectrix on each side tipped and barred with white, the other rectrices, excepting the middle pair, spotted with white on their inner webs; beneath pure white; bill black, feet grey: whole length 8·0 inches, wing 3·6, tail 2·8.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

Description.—Above brownish olive; head black, mixed with white and surmounted by narrow elongated black crest-feathers; wings blackish, outer web of external rectrix whitish; beneath pale stramineous, throat and breast white, densely striated with black; under wing-coverts white; bill yellowish, with a black tip; feet black: whole length 4·2 inches, wing 2·1, tail 2·0.

Read more on Project Gutenberg