auriculars

noun

1. (form-of, plural)plural of auricular
2. (plural, plural-only)A circle of feathers surrounding the opening of the ear of birds.

   “The more inland, lighter race is distinguished from A. u. uropygialis in being much paler on the back, by the edgings of the forehead scallopings and auriculars being paler, and by having the brown of the forehead less deep and less rufescent.”