Vert an eagle displayed argent, armed or Other birds are said to be beaked and legged or membered . In the middle ages falconry was a very popular pastime, and the falcons seen in heraldry are usually therefore belled and jessed , i.e. with bells on their legs, linked by a leather thong or jess. They are also frequently shown hooded . Owls are always shown full-face, and almost always close or standing with folded wings. There are many other birds to be found in heraldry, some drawn considerably closer to life than others.
Cocks occur too, and are said to be wattled of a particular colour, usually gules.
The phoenix is shown as an eagle-like bird rising from the flames of a fire. Postures and Positions Birds can be found in a variety of different positions. There is a specialised vocabulary to describe these, mostly derived from mediaeval or Norman French. Back to the Glossary Contents .