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Glite Dictionary
Mergus merganser americanus

Mergus merganser americanus

9.9
A North American diving duck with a long thin bill that catches fish
  • noun
  • /ˈmɜrɡəs mɜrˈɡænzər əˌmɛrɪˈkænəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Mergus merganser americanus
  • A flock of Mergus merganser americanus can often be seen diving for fish on northern lakes.

Examples

  • The distinctive red-billed appearance helps birdwatchers identify the Mergus merganser americanus during migration.

  • Wildlife biologists are studying habitat changes affecting the population of Mergus merganser americanus in the Great Lakes region.

  • The Mergus merganser americanus is often found in freshwater lakes.

  • Did you see a Mergus merganser americanus at the pond?

  • A flock of Mergus merganser americanus can often be seen diving for fish on northern lakes.

  • The distinctive red-billed appearance helps birdwatchers identify the Mergus merganser americanus during migration.

  • Wildlife biologists are studying habitat changes affecting the population of Mergus merganser americanus in the Great Lakes region.

Synonyms

American merganser
vsMergus merganser americanus
  • US
7.0

A large diving duck in North America that hunts fish in lakes and rivers

is a more specific classification as a subspecies noting slender bill and diving habits

Surface Forms

Mergus merganser americanus singular

Morphology

Mergus + merganser + americanus

The phrase is a taxonomic name composed of a genus ('Mergus'), a species/common-group term ('merganser' = a type of duck), and a Latin adjectival qualifier ('americanus' indicating American). Even if 'americanus' is not in a learner's dictionary, its form clearly signals geographic origin (American), and the overall meaning—a North American merganser duck—is directly inferable from the parts, making it compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Mergus merganser americanus comes from old Latin words and shows what the bird does and where it lives. Mergus means 'diver', merganser marks it as a kind of 'duck', and americanus means 'from America', so the name points to a North American diving duck.