Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
sicklebill

sicklebill

1 9.8
A bird with a long curved beak used to reach nectar inside flowers
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪkəlˌbɪl/
: pájaro pico de hoz
  • Birdwatchers were excited to spot a rare sicklebill during their expedition.
  • sicklebill bird
  • Black sicklebill

Examples

  • The sicklebill is known for its unique curved beak.

  • The sicklebill uses its long, curved beak to reach nectar deep inside flowers.

  • Several species of sicklebill are found in the rainforests of New Guinea.

  • Have you ever seen a sicklebill in the wild?

  • The male sicklebill displays its long, curved bill during courtship rituals.

  • When looking for nectar, the sicklebill expertly hovers in front of the flowers.

  • The sicklebill is known for its unique feeding technique, where it probes deep into flowers for nectar.

Surface Forms

sicklebill singular
sicklebills plural

Morphology

sicklebill = sickle + bill (transparent) = sickle + bill

The compound literally names a bird whose bill is curved like a sickle; the parts directly describe the feature.

Etymology

Sicklebill combines sickle 'a curved farming tool' and bill 'beak', so it names a bird with a long, curved beak like a sickle.