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Glite Dictionary
Gavia

Gavia

1 9.8
A group of water birds like loons that dive in northern lakes
  • noun
  • /ˈɡeɪviə/
  • Specialized
: Gavia
  • The common loon, known scientifically as Gavia immer, can often be seen diving for fish in northern lakes.
  • Gavia immer
  • common Gavia

Examples

  • The common loon is the most familiar of the world's five loon species, all of which belong to the genus Gavia and summer in northern North America and Eurasia.

    Academic text (2010)

  • With several collaborators, I have been studying common loons (Gavia immer) since 1993 in a swath of a hundred small glacial lakes in north central Wisconsin.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Birdwatchers seek out the Gavia genus to observe their unique behaviors and haunting calls during the breeding season.

  • Researchers have found that the Gavia species are crucial indicators of aquatic ecosystem health.

Synonyms

genus Gavia
vsGavia
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of water birds called loons that dive well and make loud calls

emphasizes geographic range in the Northern Hemisphere rather than taxonomic detail

Compounds

genus Gavia
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of water birds called loons that dive well and make loud calls

Surface Forms

Gavia singular
Gavias plural

Etymology

Gavia comes from the Latin word gavia, which meant a 'sea bird' or 'sea mew'. That's why the genus Gavia is used for loons, the Northern water birds known for diving and living on lakes and coasts.