The stances and attitudes of beasts as emblazoned on a shield have specific heraldic terms. Those relating to avians are as follows:
Abased- Representing wings as either pointing to the base of the shield or as shut.
Abaissé - Representing wings as either pointing to the base of the shield or as shut.
Addorsed - 1. with both wings behind the bird's head in a natural posture. 2. placed back to back.
Adossé- 1. with both wings behind the bird's head in a natural posture. 2. placed back to back.
Affrontant - Although generally shown in profile, winged creatures sometimes face the observer and are then blazoned affrontant.
Affronté - Although generally shown in profile, winged creatures sometimes face the observer and are then blazoned affronté.
Affronted - Although generally shown in profile, winged creatures sometimes face the observer and are then blazoned affronted.
Aislé - Provided with wings; or having wings of a different tincture from the body. Also Winged
At Prey - Applied to the falcon when represented feeding.
Ayrant - Applied to eagles or other birds in their nests.
Close - When the wings of a bird are folded.
Disclosed - A term used to describe a bird, other than a bird of prey, when its wings are spread open on each side, but the points downward. See also Displayed.
Disclosed Elevated - Similar to disclosed but with the points elevated.
Displayed - Said of any bird of prey borne erect, with the wings spread out. Applied in particular to the eagle.
Elevated - Said of the wings of a bird when upright and expanded.
Endorsed - 1. when both wings are behind the bird's head in a natural posture. 2. placed back to back.
Essorant - Said of a bird represented with its wings half open, as if preparing to take flight.
Expanded Wings - Wings extended. See Displayed
Extendant - Wings extended. See Displayed
Invertant - In a contrary direction; turned the wrong way, as a pair of wings with the points downwards.
Inverted - In a contrary direction; turned the wrong way, as a pair of wings with the points downwards.
Overt, Overture - Applied to the wings of a bird, when spread open on each side of its head, as if taking flight. See Displayed.
Pavonated - A peacock close is blazoned pavonated
Perched - A bird when standing on some object.
In her Piety - A pelican is generally represented with neck embowed, wings endorsed and in the act of vulning or wounding her breast to feed her young with her own blood. This came from a traditional tale of the Middle Ages, because of which the bird was adopted symbol of the Redeemer.
Preying, Preyant - Applied to any beast or bird of prey when represented standing on and devouring its prey.
In his Pride - A term applied to the peacock when shown statant affronté with tail feathers spread out; blazoned A peacock in his pride.
Lolling - A term sometimes used to express the position of an eagle or hawk, in the act of feeding upon its prey, when the wings hang down.
Raping - Applied to any ravenous beast represented devouring its prey.
Rising - A bird represented as if in the act of taking flight; rising from the ground. See Rousant
Recursant - Said of an eagle displayed with the back towards the spectator.
Recursant volant in pale - An eagle represented flying upwards with its back towards the spectator.
Rousant - 1. A bird in the act of rising or preparing to take flight. 2. Also applied to a bird in profile, as a swan with wings addorsed. See Rising. 3. A predatory bird in flight with head down and talons out stretched to grasp its prey. See Striking or Trussing.
Segreant - Said of the dragon or griffin rampant with wings elevated and addorsed.
Statant - Standing still: normally applied to long-legged avians such as the heron and the crane.
Stooping, Stouping - A predatory bird in flight with head down and talons out stretched to grasp its prey. See Trussing
Striking - A predatory bird in flight with head down and talons out stretched to grasp its prey. See Trussing
Trussed - Applied to a bird borne with wings folded close to the body.
Trussing - A predatory bird in flight with head down and talons outstretched to grasp its prey. See Rousant
In its vigilance - Referring to a crane shown with its head up and one leg raised grasping a rock.
Vigilant - In the attitude of watching for prey.
Volant - Represented as flying, or having the wings spread as in flight. Emblazoned as, an eagle volant.
Volant-en-arrière - Winged insects in flight viewed from above.
Winged - Provided with wings; or having wings of a different tincture from the body. Also Aislé
Wings - Variously borne, their position must be blazoned as displayed, addorsed, etc.
