Flotant, Soarant, Soaring
a dove volant
A term for a bird depicted flying, or having the wings spread as in flight. When the back, or hind part is seen, it is then termed volant en arrière or volant tergiant. All birds may be called volant when the wings are disclosed and the feet drawn up to the body but not otherwise.
a dove volant expanded
Flying with the wings expanded.
a swallow volant tergiant
Flying with the wings expanded but so turned as to show the back of the bird.
a dove volant
in bend sinister displayed
Flying diagonally athwart the escutcheon, the wings expanded on each side
the head and showing the breast.
an eagle volant in bend sinister recursant wings overture
The same position as the previous but so turned as to show the back of the bird. Overture implying that the wings are spread open on each side of the head, and the terms recursant, tergiant and invertant, showing the back.
an eagle volant descendant in pale recursant wings overture
Flying downwards. Apart from in pale or in bend sinister, the position of the bird may also be accurately depicted in fess or in bend
See Winged Creatures in Attitudes
