What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
birds
Example
I love watching birds fly in the sky. [birds: noun]
Example
The chirping of birds woke me up early in the morning. [birds: plural noun]
fowl
Example
We had roasted fowl for dinner last night. [fowl: noun]
Example
She enjoys cooking with fowl because it adds flavor to her dishes. [fowl: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Birds is a more commonly used word in everyday language, as it is a general term that covers a wide range of contexts. On the other hand, fowl is less common and is mainly used in the context of food and cooking.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between birds and fowl?
Both birds and fowl can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, fowl may be more commonly used in formal settings when discussing culinary topics or in professional contexts related to the poultry industry.