wood hen
- noun
- New Zealand
:
weka
- The wood hen is unique to New Zealand.
Examples
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The wood hen is easily recognized by its bold behavior and distinctive calls.
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Researchers have noted that the wood hen often steals food from campsites.
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Many locals call the wood hen by its Maori name, 'weka.'
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I saw a wood hen at the national park.
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The wood hen is often seen wandering through the forest in search of food.
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During our trip to New Zealand, we spotted a wood hen near the hiking trail.
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The wood hen, with its distinctive plumage, can be quite bold when approached.
Synonyms
A New Zealand bird that cannot fly, is curious, and often steals food
A large flightless bird from New Zealand with short wings and a small sharp spur that often steals shiny things
Surface Forms
Morphology
wood + hen
The headword is partially compositional: a learner who knows 'wood' (woodland) and 'hen' (a bird) would likely infer a bird associated with woods, so the basic category (a woodland bird) is derivable. However, the specific properties in the definition — being flightless, endemic to New Zealand, and bearing spurs — are not predictable from the constituents, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Wood hen is a simple English name that paints a clear picture: a hen living in the wood, a chicken-like bird that stays on the ground. That's why the name refers to the New Zealand bird called 'weka' and means a 'flightless bird' that is bold and curious.
