cere

Everyday

The soft, waxy, often brightly coloured patch of skin at the top of a bird's beak, around the nostrils, found in birds such as parrots, budgies, hawks and pigeons. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons and pet care, the colour of a budgie's cere can show whether it is male (often blue) or female (often brown or pale). Phrases: "the cere of a budgie".

Examples

• The budgie's blue cere shows it is a male. tree →
• Hawks have a yellow cere above the beak. tree →
• The vet checked the parrot's cere. tree →
• A female budgie's cere is often brown. tree →
• The cere has the bird's nostrils in it. tree →

Note

Pronounced like "seer". Do not confuse with "sear" (to burn) or "Ceres" (a dwarf planet and a Roman goddess). Countable: ceres.