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Glite Dictionary
Lanius lucovicianus

Lanius lucovicianus

9.9
A small bird with a broad black mask across its eyes found in the southeastern United States
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Lanius lucovicianus
  • The Lanius lucovicianus is easily recognized by the broad black mask across its eyes.

Examples

  • Birdwatchers often spot the Lanius lucovicianus perched on barbed wire searching for prey.

  • The Lanius lucovicianus is commonly known as the loggerhead shrike.

  • Researchers tracked the migration patterns of Lanius lucovicianus throughout southern regions.

  • Have you ever seen a Lanius lucovicianus in the wild?

  • Birdwatchers often spot the Lanius lucovicianus perched on barbed wire, searching for prey.

  • The Lanius lucovicianus is easily recognized by the broad black mask across its eyes.

  • Researchers tracked the migration patterns of the Lanius lucovicianus throughout southern regions.

Synonyms

loggerhead shrike
vsLanius lucovicianus
  • Specialized
1 9.3

A small North American bird with black eye bands that often sticks its food on thorns

has identical meaning but differs in scientific name spelling

Surface Forms

Lanius lucovicianus singular

Morphology

Lanius + lucovicianus

This is a Latin binomial taxonomic name: 'Lanius' signals the shrike genus but 'lucovicianus' is not an English word and functions as an arbitrary species epithet. A B1 learner who knows the constituents would not be able to derive the specific meaning 'loggerhead shrike' from them, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Lanius lucovicianus is the scientific name for a small shrike with a broad black band across its eyes. The first part, Lanius, comes from an old word meaning 'butcher' because these birds often catch small animals and stick them on thorns. So, picturing a little masked 'butcher' bird helps you remember this species from the southeastern United States.