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Glite Dictionary
Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii

9.9
A small night bird that lives in western North America and eats insects
  • proper noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Phalaenoptilus nuttallii
  • The Phalaenoptilus nuttallii is famous for its ability to enter prolonged periods of torpor during cold weather.

Examples

  • Unlike many other nocturnal birds, the Phalaenoptilus nuttallii can survive in extremely arid habitats.

  • The Phalaenoptilus nuttallii blends seamlessly into its desert surroundings, making it difficult to spot during the day.

  • Researchers observed a Phalaenoptilus nuttallii camouflaged among the desert rocks at dusk.

  • The Phalaenoptilus nuttallii is known for its distinctive call.

  • Have you ever seen a Phalaenoptilus nuttallii in the wild?

  • In early summer, the Phalaenoptilus nuttallii can be heard calling at night, a sound that fills the quiet air.

  • Birdwatchers eagerly await the migration of the Phalaenoptilus nuttallii, as it signals the arrival of warmer weather.

Synonyms

poorwill
vsPhalaenoptilus nuttallii
  • US
9.9

A bird that is active at night in western North America and makes a soft repeating call

is the formal scientific name for that same nocturnal bird

Surface Forms

Phalaenoptilus nuttallii main

Morphology

Phalaenoptilus + nuttallii

This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'Phalaenoptilus' (a genus of nightjars) signals it is a bird species, but the specific epithet 'nuttallii' is a Latinized commemorative name with no compositional meaning in English. A B1 learner who knows the constituents might infer it names a bird but cannot derive the full common-name meaning or other semantic details from the parts alone, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The name Phalaenoptilus nuttallii is partly named for the naturalist Thomas Nuttall and may come from words meaning moth and wing. Think of 'moth-wing': the bird is a quiet night bird with soft feathers that help it blend in, so the name fits its night habits.