Numenius arquata

9.9

A large wading bird with a long curved bill that lives in Europe, Asia, and North Africa

noun

: Numenius arquata

The Numenius arquata is known for its distinctive, curved bill and haunting call.

Examples

Many wetlands have become crucial habitats for the Numenius arquata during migration season.
Have you ever seen a Numenius arquata in the wild?
Conservationists are working hard to protect the Numenius arquata from habitat loss and population decline.
The Numenius arquata is known for its distinctive curved bill.
Conservationists are working hard to protect the Numenius arquata from habitat loss and population decline.
Many wetlands have become crucial habitats for the Numenius arquata during migration season.
The Numenius arquata is known for its distinctive, curved bill and haunting call.

Synonyms

curlew

vsNumenius arquata

1 8.6

A large wading bird with a long curved bill that lives by the sea

is the specific species rather than the general shorebird type

European curlew

vsNumenius arquata

8.6

A large shore bird from Europe with a long curved bill and a loud haunting call

is wider in range also including North Africa beyond Europe and parts of Asia

Surface Forms

Numenius arquata singular

Numenius arquatas plural

Morphology

Numenius + arquata

This is a Latin binomial species name rather than an English compositional phrase; its meaning is a taxonomic label (the Eurasian curlew) and is not derivable from ordinary English word-parts. One constituent ('arquata') has no English dictionary meaning here and the genus name functions as a scientific label, so a B1 learner who knows the listed constituents would not be able to infer the common-language meaning.

Etymology

Numenius arquata may come from old Greek and Latin words that point to the bird's curved bill. arquata means 'arched' in Latin and Numenius may refer to a 'crescent moon' shape, so the name paints the image of a long bird with a bent, moon-like bill and helps you remember the Eurasian curlew.