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Glite Dictionary
blue mockingbird

blue mockingbird

8.3
A bird with blue-grey feathers that sings beautifully and lives in western Mexico
  • noun
  • /blu ˈmɒkɪŋbɜrd/
  • US
translation icon : mirlo azul
  • Birdwatchers travel to see the striking blue mockingbird during the spring migration.

Examples

  • The blue mockingbird is frequently spotted in the wooded regions of western Mexico.

  • Unlike other species, the blue mockingbird prefers dense underbrush for nesting.

  • The blue mockingbird sings beautifully.

  • I spotted a blue mockingbird in my backyard.

  • Many birdwatchers visit Mexico to catch a glimpse of the stunning blue mockingbird and hear its beautiful song.

  • The blue mockingbird, known for its vibrant blue-grey feathers, is commonly found in western Mexico's forests.

  • In spring, the melodious calls of the blue mockingbird can be heard echoing through the trees.

Synonyms

Melanotis caerulescens
vsblue mockingbird
  • Specialized
9.9

A blue bird from Mexico with bright feathers and a musical call

focuses on a blue-grey feather tone and notable melodious song

Surface Forms

blue mockingbird singular
blue mockingbirds plural

Morphology

blue + mockingbird

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'blue' describes the color and 'mockingbird' names the bird, so the meaning 'a mockingbird that is blue/blue-grey' is directly derivable from the constituents. This compositional pattern is common across languages and follows basic English attribution, making it immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

The noun blue mockingbird is named for its blue-grey feathers (blue) and for the way it 'mocks' or copies other birds' songs (mockingbird). So the name points to what the bird looks like and what it does.