crested

Crested is an adjective used in biology and related fields to describe an organism or structure that bears a crest—a prominent, often upright ridge, tuft, or plume on the head, back, or another part of the body. Crests can be made of feathers, scales, or other tissues and may be fixed or erectile, appearing in display or camouflage.

In taxonomy, crested morphology is a common descriptive feature and is often embedded in species names. The Latin epithet cristatus (masculine) or cristata (feminine) indicates crested form and appears in species such as Podiceps cristatus (great crested grebe), Eudyptes cristatus (crested penguin), and Aethia cristatella (crested auklet).

Crests vary in size, shape, color, and position. In birds, head crests may be upright, drooping, or fused into a cap, used for display, species recognition, or signaling dominance or fitness. In reptiles and other animals, dorsal or nuchal crests can alter silhouette or appear as ornamentation. Some crests are seasonally enhanced during mating rituals, while others are always present.

Beyond biology, crest can describe similar raised features in geology and anatomy, such as the crest of a hill or a wave, where crested forms refer to the edge or apex. The term crested thus conveys the idea of a prominent, often decorative ridge or tuft that distinguishes the organism or structure.