wing bars
Avian plumage stripes
Wing bars are the contrasting stripes visible across a bird's folded wing, formed by pale or colored tips on the wing feathers.
Birders use wing bars as key field marks for identification: Look for the two white wing bars to distinguish it from similar species.
Some species have bold, obvious wing bars; others have faint ones or none at all.
Bird's complete feather coat
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
- birdwatchingObserving wild avians recreationally
- binocularsHandheld dual-lens magnifier
- field guidePortable species identification manual
passerine · songbirds · warblers · sparrows · finches · species · markings · stripes
Recurring arrangement or template
- markingsIdentifying visual features
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- blendCombine into mixture
mimicry · streaking · mottled · barred · striped · countershading · protective coloration
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
- birdwatchingObserving wild avians recreationally
- binocularsHandheld dual-lens magnifier
field guide · passerine · songbirds · warblers · sparrows · finches · species · markings · stripes · feathers
pattern
Recurring arrangement or template
- markingsIdentifying visual features
- crypticObscure in meaning
- concealmentAct of hiding something
blend · mimicry · streaking · mottled · barred · striped · countershading · protective coloration