Birds of Oman

12

Bird topography

The illustrations below show the various features of a bird – its topography – used in the identification texts.

Knowledge of these, especially the feather tracts, is vital for describing a bird and its plumage. Making field

sketches, even if embarrassingly poor, is a good way to learn.

tertials primary projection

greater coverts

tibia

tarsus

median coverts

lesser coverts

breast

lores

crown mantle

scapulars

crown-stripe lateral crown-stripe

nape

supercilium

tertials

primary projection

uppertail-coverts

vent undertail-coverts

flanks

eye-stripe

malar stripe

submoustachial stripe

scapulars

lesser coverts

median coverts

greater coverts

alula

primary coverts

moustachial stripe

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P

P10 (10th primary)

primaries

primary

coverts

carpal

median

coverts

lesser

coverts

mantle

scapulars

rump

feet

projection

uppertail-coverts

greater coverts

secondaries