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Glite Dictionary
Gymnogyps californianus

Gymnogyps californianus

9.9
A very large North American bird that eats dead animals and is nearly extinct in the wild
  • noun
  • /ˌdʒɪmnoʊˈdʒɪps ˌkælɪfɔrˈneɪənəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Gymnogyps californianus
  • The Gymnogyps californianus, commonly known as the California condor, is known for its impressive wingspan and primarily resides in protected habitats.

Examples

  • With a wingspan of almost three meters, the Gymnogyps californianus is North America's largest flying bird.

  • The Gymnogyps californianus is now primarily found in protected areas of California and Arizona.

  • Conservationists are working tirelessly to save the Gymnogyps californianus from extinction.

  • The Gymnogyps californianus is critically endangered.

  • Have you ever seen a Gymnogyps californianus in the wild?

  • Conservationists are working tirelessly to save the Gymnogyps californianus, a large vulture native to North America that is nearly extinct.

  • Efforts to reintroduce the Gymnogyps californianus to the wild have led to a gradual increase in its population in California.

Synonyms

condor
vsGymnogyps californianus
  • US
18 5.6

A very large vulture with a bare head that lives in parts of the Americas

is the specific species rather than the general group of vultures
California condor
vsGymnogyps californianus
  • US
1 7.4

A large endangered vulture that lives in western North America with black feathers and white patches under its wings

is the formal scientific name used in academic or technical contexts

Surface Forms

Gymnogyps californianus singular
Gymnogyps californianuses plural

Morphology

Gymnogyps + californianus

This is a Latin scientific binomial made of a genus name and a Latinized epithet meaning 'from California'; a learner who knows 'Gymnogyps' is a taxonomic genus and recognizes 'californianus' as relating to California can infer it names a species associated with California. However, the phrase does not transparently convey the ordinary meaning 'large North American vulture' or the common name 'California condor' without domain knowledge of taxonomy, so the relation is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Gymnogyps californianus comes from Greek parts: gymno- meaning 'naked' and -gyps meaning 'vulture', which gives the image of the bird's bare head, and californianus means 'from California'. So the name helps you remember this very large Californian vulture that is now very rare in the wild.