pine grosbeak
- noun
- /paɪn ˈɡroʊzbiːk/
:
grosbeak de pino
- The pine grosbeak is often seen feeding on the berries of coniferous trees in winter.
Examples
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In the northern forests, the pine grosbeak can be identified by its vibrant yellow plumage.
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Pine grosbeaks are among the regulars in the highlands of Terra Nova National Park.
Blog text (24) -
Pine grosbeak.
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Birdwatchers eagerly seek out the pine grosbeak during their trips to observe wildlife.
Synonyms
A large bird with a thick beak that lives in pine forests and eats seeds and berries
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound 'pine grosbeak' is directly composed from 'pine' (a coniferous tree) and 'grosbeak' (a finch with a large bill) and therefore denotes a grosbeak associated with pine/coniferous habitats. This straightforward noun+noun descriptive pattern is common in English and cross-linguistically predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Pine grosbeak comes from the bird's home and its bill: pine points to the pine trees where it lives, and grosbeak comes from old French words meaning 'big' and 'beak'. So, the name paints the picture of a 'large finch with a thick bill' found in pine forests.
