perching

Resting on branch

Perching is the act of settling or resting on a raised spot, as birds do on branches or wires.

The word extends to people who sit briefly or precariously on edges: She was perching on the arm of the sofa.

Things positioned high or unsteadily may also be described as perching: a village perching on the cliffside.

resting

roost

Bird's sleeping spot

light · descend · repose · pause · rest · linger · nestle · squat · hunker · sit

elevated

branch

Division or woody limb

  • ledgeProjecting horizontal surface
  • wireThin metallic conductor
  • railingHorizontal safety bar

fencepost · rooftop · windowsill · beam · bough · limb · treetop · eave · gutter · telephone pole

balance

equilibrium

State of balance

footing · stability · centering · coordination · dexterity · agility · proprioception · posture · control · precision

birds

sparrow

Small brown urban bird

  • robinSmall orange-breasted thrush
  • finchSmall seed-eating songbird
  • warblerSmall melodious bird

canary · thrush · oriole · cardinal · bluejay · tanager · chickadee · wren · swallow · kinglet

watching

survey

Systematic data collection

observe · surveil · monitor · watch · gaze · view · sight · vantage · lookout · sentinel

temporary

momentary

Lasting very briefly

interim · stopover · waystation · passing · provisional · short-lived · impermanent · tarrying · sojourning · pausing

Categories
Opposites
mode of bird locomotion/position

perchingflying

Moving through air

soaring · gliding · swooping · diving · taking flight

stability/settling

perchingfalling

Moving downward freely

tumbling · plummeting · dropping · unsettled · dislodged

elevation/surface contact

perchinggrounded

Stable and realistic

earthbound · submerged · nesting · burrowing · wallowing

Phrases
Family

perch, perched, perches

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G