Ornithomancy is the practice of divination through the observation of birds. In simpler terms, it is the interpretation of birds' behavior or by their appearance. Some synonyms for the term might include avian prophecy, bird augury, or flight divination. These terms all refer to the act of reading the signs an individual sees in the natural behavior of birds. By paying close attention to their movements, vocalizations, and other behaviors, some believe that they can glean insights into the future or other unseen forces in the world. Ornithomancy has been practiced in different forms throughout history and in many different cultures.