Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
great bowerbird

great bowerbird

9.9
A large bird from northern Australia that builds decorated structures with shells and shiny objects to attract a mate
  • noun
  • Australian
translation icon : pájaro arquitecto
  • The great bowerbird constructs intricate bowers decorated with shells and stones to impress potential mates.

Examples

  • We spotted a great bowerbird near the river during our trip to northern Australia.

  • The great bowerbird is known for its unique courtship displays.

  • Unlike other species, the great bowerbird often uses shiny objects to decorate its bower.

  • Look at that great bowerbird!

  • The great bowerbird constructs intricate bowers decorated with shells and stones to impress potential mates.

  • Unlike other species, the great bowerbird often uses shiny objects to decorate its bower.

  • The great bowerbird is known for its unique courtship displays that attract females.

Synonyms

bowerbird
vsgreat bowerbird
  • Australian
1 9.4

A bird from Australia whose male builds and decorates a structure to attract a mate

refers specifically to a single large northern species rather than the whole group
Chlamydera nuchalis
vsgreat bowerbird
  • Specialized
9.9

A large bird from northern Australia that builds decorated bowers to attract mates

has the same meaning but is the common name for that species
Ptilonorhynchidae
vsgreat bowerbird
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of birds in Australia and New Guinea whose males build decorated structures called bowers to attract females

is narrower, pointing to one species instead of the entire family

Surface Forms

great bowerbird singular
great bowerbirds plural

Morphology

great + bowerbird

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun combination: 'great' (large/notable) modifying 'bowerbird' (a bird that builds decorative structures). The meaning 'a large/notable species of bowerbird' is directly derivable from the constituents and follows a common compositional pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

The noun great bowerbird comes from the word bower and the word bird: a bower is a decorated structure the male builds with sticks and shiny things to attract a 'mate'. 'Great' shows its large size, so the name reminds us it is a big bird famous for making fancy bowers.