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Glite Dictionary
Gymnorhina tibicen

Gymnorhina tibicen

9.9
A black and white Australian bird about the size of a crow that sings and copies sounds
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Gymnorhina tibicen
  • The distinctive carol of the Gymnorhina tibicen is a familiar sound in Australian suburbs.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the vocal mimicry abilities of Gymnorhina tibicen in various environments.

  • Many bird watchers visit Australia hoping to catch a glimpse of the striking Gymnorhina tibicen.

  • I spotted a Gymnorhina tibicen in the park yesterday.

  • The Gymnorhina tibicen is often seen in urban areas.

  • The distinctive carol of the Gymnorhina tibicen is a familiar sound in Australian suburbs.

  • Researchers studied the vocal mimicry abilities of Gymnorhina tibicen in various environments.

  • Many bird watchers visit Australia hoping to catch a glimpse of the striking Gymnorhina tibicen.

Synonyms

piping crow-shrike
vsGymnorhina tibicen
  • Australian
9.9

A black and white bird like a crow that sings a pleasant song and copies other sounds

uses a slightly different phrase order for the same idea
piping crow
vsGymnorhina tibicen
  • Australian
9.9

A black and white bird the size of a crow that copies sounds

is a wild Australian bird known for a melodious natural call

Surface Forms

Gymnorhina tibicen singular
Gymnorhina tibicens plural

Morphology

Gymnorhina + tibicen

This is a Latin scientific binomial rather than a conventional English phrase; its meaning (a specific species) is taxonomic and not compositionally predictable for a B1 learner. The second constituent 'tibicen' is not a known English word (marked '[Word not found in dictionary]'), and even knowing 'Gymnorhina' as a genus of magpies would not allow a learner to derive the full species meaning, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Gymnorhina tibicen may come from old Greek and Latin words: gymno- ('naked') and -rhina ('nose'), and tibicen ('flute player'). So the name paints a picture of a bird with a bare face and a flute-like song, which fits the black-and-white Australian bird known for its musical calls and ability to copy sounds.