HomeGlossary Bird topography Mantle The upper back, between the nape and the scapulars. In gulls, the shade of grey on the mantle and wings is one of the first things to judge. Bird topographyRelated termsFull glossary Nape The back of the neck. Tertials The innermost flight feathers, next to the body, which often cover the folded primaries on a perched bird. Culmen The upper ridge of the bill from its tip to where the feathers begin. Tarsus The lower, usually bare, part of the leg above the toes. Cere The bare, often coloured skin at the base of the upper bill in raptors, parrots and pigeons. Rump The lower back, just above the base of the tail.
Tertials The innermost flight feathers, next to the body, which often cover the folded primaries on a perched bird.