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Glite Dictionary
Bohemian waxwing

Bohemian waxwing

9.3
A large grey-brown bird with a pointed crest and red-tipped wing feathers
  • noun
  • /boʊˈhiːmiən ˈwækswɪŋ/
translation icon : pájaro ceraunero bohemio
  • The Bohemian waxwing is known for its striking plumage and bright red tips on some wing feathers.

Examples

  • A flock of Bohemian waxwings was spotted feeding on berries near the riverbank.

  • Unlike the cedar waxwing, the Bohemian waxwing is rarely seen in southern regions.

  • I spotted a Bohemian waxwing in the park yesterday.

  • The Bohemian waxwing is known for its beautiful plumage.

  • A flock of Bohemian waxwings was spotted feeding on berries near the riverbank.

  • The Bohemian waxwing is known for its striking plumage and bright red tips on some wing feathers.

  • Unlike the cedar waxwing, the Bohemian waxwing is rarely seen in southern regions.

Synonyms

waxwing
vsBohemian waxwing
1 8.5

A bird that has soft brown feathers, a crest, and red waxy tips on its wings

names one specific large northern species within that wider group
Bombycilla garrulus
vsBohemian waxwing
  • Specialized
9.9

A large bird with silky feathers, a crest, and chestnut face markings that lives in northern North America and Eurasia

is the common English name rather than the scientific name
Bombycilla
vsBohemian waxwing
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of birds called waxwings with soft shiny feathers and red wing tips

is a single species within that broader genus grouping

Surface Forms

Bohemian waxwing singular
Bohemian waxwings plural

Morphology

Bohemian + waxwing

The compound is compositionally built: 'Bohemian' (from Bohemia) + 'waxwing' (a type of songbird) yields a specific kind of waxwing associated by name with Bohemia. Such taxonomic/place-based naming is a transparent, cross-linguistically common pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would infer it denotes a particular species of waxwing.

Etymology

Bohemian waxwing is named for the bright red tips on its wing feathers that look like drops of wax, and the word 'Bohemian' was once used to suggest the bird came from a distant or wandering place. So the name helps you picture a bird with wax-like red wing tips from far away.