A fleshy, waxy covering at the base of a bird's upper beak, usually containing the nostrils, that is especially visible in parrots and falcons.
From Latin 'cera' meaning 'wax,' because the structure resembles wax in texture and appearance. This ornithological term has been used since the 16th century.
A bird's cere is one of nature's most underappreciated features—it's actually a chemical communication device that tells other birds about health, age, and breeding status, all through color and texture!
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