A bird.
"The avian species was spotted soaring high above the forest canopy."
pertaining to or characteristic of birds
"The avian species in the rainforest are perfectly adapted to glide between the tall trees."
Characteristic of or pertaining to birds, or to bird-like or flying creatures.
"The avian migration patterns observed in these species confirm their adaptation to seasonal changes across vast distances."
In plain English: Avian means anything related to birds, such as their feathers or how they fly.
"The avian flu has caused concern among farmers who rely on poultry for their livelihoods."
Usage: Use avian as an adjective specifically when describing characteristics related to birds rather than using the noun form directly in sentences like "the avians." This term is often preferred over generic words like "bird" in scientific contexts or formal writing to maintain a precise, descriptive tone.
The word avian comes from the Latin word avis, meaning bird, combined with the suffix -ian. It entered English to describe anything relating specifically to birds or their characteristics.