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Glite Dictionary
pied-billed grebe

pied-billed grebe

8.9
A small North American water bird with a white bill marked by a black band
  • noun
  • /paɪd bɪld ɡriːb/
  • US
translation icon : zampullín de pico pardo
  • Look! A pied-billed grebe just dove under the water!

Examples

  • During migration season, several pied-billed grebes stopped at our local wetlands.

  • The pied-billed grebe is commonly found in ponds and marshes across North America.

  • We spotted a pied-billed grebe diving for food near the lake shore.

  • The pied-billed grebe is often seen in marshy areas.

  • The pied-billed grebe is known for its distinctive bill marked by a black band.

  • Many birdwatchers visit the lake to observe the pied-billed grebe during the breeding season.

  • During our hike, we spotted a pied-billed grebe swimming gracefully among the reeds.

Synonyms

grebe
vspied-billed grebe
1 9.1

A small water bird that dives for fish and builds floating nests

is one specific species within that family rather than the whole group
Podilymbus podiceps
vspied-billed grebe
  • Specialized
9.9

A small waterbird that lives in ponds and marshes with a short white bill marked by a black band

is the common English name used instead of the scientific form

Surface Forms

pied-billed grebe singular
pied-billed grebes plural

Morphology

pied-billed + grebe

The noun phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'pied-billed' describes the bill as pied (marked/multi-coloured) and 'grebe' names a small water bird. A learner who knows 'pied'/'pied' (marked), 'billed' (having a bill) and 'grebe' can directly infer the meaning, so the expression is compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Pied-billed grebe describes how the bird looks: pied-billed means it has a 'pied' or two-coloured 'bill' with a dark band, and grebe is a small water bird. So, the name tells you it is a small water bird with a marked bill.