Rectrix

A rectrix is one of the large, stiff feathers in a bird’s tail.

These feathers help birds steer, brake, and maintain balance during flight.

Definition:

The rectrices (commonly used as a plural) work with tail muscles to adjust the angle of the tail, supporting sharp turns, stability, and controlled changes in altitude. In many species, they also contribute to signaling, including courtship displays, where the tail is shown prominently. Depending on the bird, rectrices may vary in length, shape, or coloration, which can help with camouflage or visual communication.

If you’re learning bird vocabulary, you may also find it helpful to review the general word bird to understand how anatomy terms fit into everyday descriptions.

Example Sentences:

• The hawk spread its rectrices wide as it descended to perch on the branch.
• A damaged rectrix hampered the pigeon’s ability to fly in a straight line.
• The ornithologist examined a bird’s rectrix arrangement to help identify its species and age.
• The vibrant patterning on the peacock’s rectrices appeared as the tail opened into a fan.
• During molting season, the bird lost several rectrices, temporarily affecting how precisely it could control its flight.
• After observing the eagle closely, the researcher noted how the rectrices helped the bird hold steady while turning.

Rectrix Synonyms:

• Tail feather
• Steering feather
• Flight feather
• Tail vane
• Feather vane
• Plume
• Tail vane feather
• Control feather

Rectrix Antonyms:

• Wing feather
• Down feather
• Contour feather
• Bristle
• Coverts
• Flight feather (wing)
• Body feather
• Contour down

Want to compare meanings as you study similar vocabulary? See Rectify – Meaning, Definition, Synonyms and Antonyms for a common “R” word that is often confused with specialized terms due to similar spelling.