Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
genus Motacilla

genus Motacilla

9.9
A group of small birds like wagtails that often move their long tails up and down
  • noun
  • Specialized
: género Motacilla
  • The genus Motacilla includes several species of birds known for their distinctive tail-wagging behavior.

Examples

  • The genus Motacilla includes various species of wagtails.

  • Recent studies have clarified the evolutionary relationships within the genus Motacilla.

  • Many ornithologists specialize in identifying the various species that belong to the genus Motacilla.

  • Did you know that the genus Motacilla is found in Europe?

  • Many ornithologists specialize in identifying the various species that belong to the genus Motacilla.

  • Recent studies have clarified the evolutionary relationships within the genus Motacilla.

  • The genus Motacilla includes several species of birds known for their distinctive tail-wagging behavior.

Synonyms

Motacilla
vsgenus Motacilla
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small birds known as wagtails

has identical meaning but explicitly includes the word genus

Surface Forms

genus Motacilla singular
genera Motacilla plural

Morphology

genus + Motacilla

This is a straightforward compositional taxonomic phrase: 'genus' (a biological rank grouping related species) combined with the proper name 'Motacilla' yields 'the genus called Motacilla, which contains wagtails.' Taxonomic noun phrases follow regular, cross-linguistic naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Genus Motacilla gets its name from the old Latin word motacilla, which was used for the wagtail. One popular story says motacilla comes from a root meaning 'to move' because these birds constantly wag their tails, so the name is used for the group of birds known for that tail-wagging.