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Glite Dictionary
spotted antbird

spotted antbird

8.9
A small spotted bird that follows army ants in Central and South American forests
  • noun
  • /ˈspɑːtɪd ˈæntbɜrd/
  • US
translation icon : hormiguero manchado
  • The spotted antbird is often seen flitting through the understory near swarms of army ants.

Examples

  • The spotted antbird has a distinctive spotted plumage that helps it blend into the shadows of the rainforest.

  • Researchers tracked the movements of a male spotted antbird in Panama's rainforest.

  • Birdwatchers travel to Costa Rica hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive spotted antbird.

  • The spotted antbird is often found near army ant swarms.

  • Many birdwatchers seek out the spotted antbird for its unique appearance.

  • In the dense jungles of Panama, bird enthusiasts often spot the spotted antbird near marching army ants.

  • Birdwatchers flock to Central America to observe the spotted antbird, which is renowned for its striking markings.

Synonyms

Hylophylax naevioides
vsspotted antbird
  • Specialized
9.9

A small Central American bird that follows army ants to eat insects

is the common English name used in everyday speech

Surface Forms

spotted antbird singular
spotted antbirds plural

Morphology

spotted + antbird

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'spotted' describes the appearance of an 'antbird', so the MWE simply denotes an antbird species with spots. This is a descriptive, non-idiomatic naming pattern common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand the meaning.

Etymology

Spotted antbird: The name spotted antbird comes from a small bird with spotted feathers that often follows swarms of 'army ants' to catch insects the ants scare out. So it is called an antbird, and the name tells you both how it looks and how it finds food.