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Glite Dictionary
Upupa epops

Upupa epops

9.9
A pinkish-brown bird with a long crest and black-and-white wings found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Upupa epops
  • The black-and-white wings of the Upupa epops contrast beautifully with its pinkish-brown plumage.

Examples

  • The striking crest of the Upupa epops makes it easy to recognize in the wild.

  • Scientists observed the migratory patterns of Upupa epops across several continents.

  • Look at that Upupa epops!

  • The Upupa epops is known for its distinctive crown.

  • Scientists observed the migratory patterns of Upupa epops, a fascinating bird native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

  • The black-and-white wings of the Upupa epops contrast beautifully with its pinkish-brown plumage, creating a stunning appearance.

  • The striking crest of the Upupa epops makes it easy to recognize among other birds in the wild.

Synonyms

hoopoe
vsUpupa epops
1 9.9

A colorful bird with a long curved beak and a fan-shaped crest

is the species with pinkish brown plumage and black and white wings
European hoopoe
vsUpupa epops
  • UK
8.9

A bird with black and white wings and a crest, found in Europe, Asia and Africa

is the scientific species name for that same bird
hoopoo
vsUpupa epops
  • US
9.9

A bird with a crest of feathers and a long curved bill that eats insects

is the specific species native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa

Surface Forms

Upupa epops singular
Upupa epopses plural

Morphology

Upupa + epops

This is a scientific Latin binomial (genus + species) rather than a normal English phrase; the constituents are technical/proper names (and 'epops' has no dictionary gloss here), so a B1 learner would not be able to infer the descriptive meaning (a pinkish-brown hoopoe) from the parts. Understanding this requires domain knowledge of taxonomic naming conventions and/or familiarity with the specific bird, so it is not transparently compositional for general learners.

Etymology

The noun Upupa epops may come from the bird's own call. One popular story says the words Upupa and epops copy the bird's 'up-up' or 'hoo-poo' sound, so the scientific name helps you remember this noisy, crested bird.