Turdus migratorius
- noun
- /ˈtɜrdəs ˌmɪɡrəˈtɔriəs/
- Specialized
- The song of the Turdus migratorius is a familiar sound on early mornings.
Examples
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Look! A Turdus migratorius just landed on that tree!
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The Turdus migratorius is often seen in gardens during spring.
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Birdwatchers eagerly anticipate the return of the Turdus migratorius each spring.
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The nest of the Turdus migratorius is often found in suburban gardens across the United States.
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The Turdus migratorius, commonly known as the American robin, can often be seen in gardens during spring.
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We spotted a Turdus migratorius hopping on the lawn, searching for worms.
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In North America, the Turdus migratorius is admired for its beautiful rust-red breast.
Synonyms
A medium bird with a rust red breast often seen in North American gardens
A common North American songbird with a red-orange chest
Surface Forms
Morphology
Turdus + migratorius
The Latin binomial parts partly reveal meaning: 'Turdus' denotes a thrush genus and 'migratorius' suggests migration, so a learner who knew those constituents could infer something like a 'migratory thrush.' However, the conventional English meaning 'American robin' (a specific species) is not directly derivable from the parts, and the Latin proper-name status reduces predictability for typical learners.
Etymology
Turdus migratorius is a scientific name from Latin: Turdus means 'thrush' and migratorius means 'migrating'. It paints a clear picture of a thrush that moves with the seasons, which fits the American robin.