Ornithology
/ˌɔːr.nɪˈθɒl.ə.dʒi/noun
The branch of zoology concerned with birds.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek roots, not mysticism, but birds have been treated as divine messengers, omens, and prophecy tools across cultures, which helped make bird-study feel almost sacred.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ορνις (ornis), gen. ορνιθος (ornithos)
“bird”
Ancient Greek
Greek
-λογια (-logia)
“study, discourse, account”
16th Century
New Latin
ornithologia
“the study of birds”
17th–18th Century
French/English
ornithologie / ornithology
“the scientific study of birds”
Modern English
English
ornithology
“the branch of zoology dealing with birds”
Explore more surprising origins