In starship classification, a warbird is a large battle cruiser. Generally they resemble large predatory birds. (TNG: "The Defector")
Three cultures are known to operate warbirds:
- Klingon Empire
- Klingon warbird (ENT: "Broken Bow")
- Romulan Star Empire
- Warbird of the 22nd century
- D'deridex-class warbird (TNG: "The Defector")
- Valdore-type (Star Trek Nemesis)
- Remans
- Scimitar, a prototype referred to as a "Reman warbird" (Star Trek Nemesis)
Background
Prior to Star Trek: Enterprise and Star Trek Nemesis, "warbird" or "Romulan warbird" were used exclusively to refer to D'deridex-class starships. Brannon Braga has mentioned that the use of the term "warbird" to describe Klingon ships in "Broken Bow" was a mistake, implying that the production team only wished Romulan ships to be identified as warbirds.