Readers of my recent disquisition of the color buff may have been surprised to learn of so many terms for yellow-brown in the English...

Of all the subtle shades and tones of the natural world, one of the most dominant yet least recognized colors has to be buff....

When I demanded of my friend what viands he preferred, He quoth: “A large cold bottle, and a small hot bird!” – Eugene Field,...

There are sulphur-colored birds, and hideous intestines hanging over the doors of houses that I hate — Pablo Neruda, Walking Around Depending on the...

Although many of the terms used to denote color in birds may be unknown to apprentice observers of avifauna, most learn the meaning of...

Of all the classifications for chromaticity in the common names of birds, violaceous is certainly one of the most colorful. This word conjures images...

Another interesting, some might say antiquated color choice employed by those who get to name birds is plumbeous. Plumbeous refers to a heavy, leaden...

Some fortunate folks have been endowed throughout history with the awesome responsibility of ascribing common names to newly discovered avian species. Often, perhaps too...