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Glite Dictionary
3️⃣ Third in order 🪶 A bird's wing feather
tertial

tertial

9.9
A feather on the inner wing near the bird's body
  • noun
  • /ˈtɜrʃəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tercial
  • Damage to the tertial can affect a bird's ability to fly efficiently.

Examples

  • Bright markings on the tertials help identify certain species of birds.

  • The ornithologist carefully examined the tertial feathers for signs of molting.

  • The bird's tertial feathers are essential for flight.

  • Look at the vibrant colors of the tertial feathers!

  • The bird spread its wings to display its beautiful tertial feathers, which lay close to its body.

  • During the birdwatching tour, we learned that tertial feathers help define the shape of a bird's wing.

  • In avian anatomy, tertial feathers play a crucial role in assisting with flight alongside the primary feathers.

Synonyms

feather
vstertial
403 1.0

A light flat part of a bird with a thin middle and many thin hair-like parts

is one specific inner wing structure near the body rather than general plumage
quill
vstertial
1 5.3

The hollow central part of a bird's feather

is the whole inner wing feather, not only its hollow shaft or part
flight feather
vstertial
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A large stiff feather on a bird's wing or tail that helps it fly

is the specific inner wing feather nearest the body rather than any large flying feather
tertia
vstertial
  • Specialized
9.9

A long feather on the inner part of a bird's wing near the body

is an alternative form of the same name with identical meaning

Surface Forms

tertial singular
tertials plural

Etymology

Tertial comes from the Latin tertius meaning 'third', the same root as tertiary. In birds, the tertial feathers are the group closest to the body, the 'third' set of wing feathers, so the name tells you their position.