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Glite Dictionary
bluewing

bluewing

8.3
A small duck from North America with a blue patch on its wings
  • noun
  • /ˈbluːˌwɪŋ/
  • US
translation icon : pato azulón
  • Look at that bluewing diving for food!
  • bluewing teal

Examples

  • A flock of bluewing ducklings paddled quietly near the shore.

  • During migration, bluewing flocks can often be seen rising from wetlands.

  • The bluewing is prized among birdwatchers for its colorful plumage.

  • I saw a bluewing swimming in the pond.

  • The bluewing is known for its beautiful bluish wing patches that stand out in the wetland areas.

  • Birdwatchers often look for bluewings during the fall migration in North America.

  • During the spring, bluewings are spotted in ponds, where they feed on aquatic plants.

Synonyms

teal
vsbluewing
2 4.1

A small duck with a short neck that feeds in shallow water

refers to one specific North American species with distinctive bluish wing patches
blue-winged teal
vsbluewing
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A small duck with a blue patch on its wings found in North America

is an alternative name form used interchangeably in many sources
Anas discors
vsbluewing
  • Specialized
9.6

A small duck from North America with blue patches on the wings

is the everyday English name rather than the Latin label

Surface Forms

bluewing singular
bluewings plural

Morphology

bluewing = blue + wing (transparent) = blue + wing

The name is a straightforward compound 'blue' + 'wing' describing a bird with blue wing patches, so learners knowing the components can infer the sense.

Etymology

Bluewing comes from the simple English parts blue ('blue') and wing ('wing'). The name points to the small duck's bright bluish patch on its wing, so it is easy to remember because the word describes the bird.