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Glite Dictionary
Aphriza virgata

Aphriza virgata

9.9
A small shorebird like a sandpiper that lives on Pacific coasts of North and South America
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Aphriza virgata
  • The Aphriza virgata feeds on insects and crustaceans found among coastal rocks.

Examples

  • Researchers tagged several Aphriza virgata to study their migratory patterns.

  • The Aphriza virgata is often seen along the rocky shores.

  • Birdwatchers along the Pacific coast often search for the elusive Aphriza virgata during migration season.

  • Many birdwatchers are excited to spot an Aphriza virgata during their trips.

  • Birdwatchers along the Pacific coast often search for the elusive Aphriza virgata during migration season.

  • The Aphriza virgata feeds on insects and crustaceans found among coastal rocks.

  • Researchers tagged several Aphriza virgata to study their migratory patterns.

Synonyms

shorebird
vsAphriza virgata
3 3.7

A bird that lives by the sea and searches mud or sand for food

is a single sandpiper-like coastal species rather than the broad wading group
shore bird
vsAphriza virgata
1 4.0

A bird that walks in shallow water to feed on beaches and river mouths

is one particular sandpiper-like coastal species not the wide wading category
surfbird
vsAphriza virgata
  • US
9.9

A small seaside bird that feeds on rocky shores near the surf

is the scientific name for the same coastal species

Surface Forms

Aphriza virgata singular
Aphriza virgatas plural

Morphology

Aphriza + virgata

This is a scientific binomial: the genus name Aphriza signals a group of shorebirds, so a learner who knows that constituent could infer it names a kind of bird. However the species epithet 'virgata' is a Latin label (not a productive English word) and does not convey the specific meaning 'surfbird' to an average B1 learner, so the full sense is only partially recoverable from the parts.

Etymology

Aphriza virgata is the scientific name for a coastal shorebird often called 'surfbird'. These birds run along rocky shores at the edge of the sea, pecking for small animals in the waves, so the picture of surf + bird helps you remember it means a bird that lives and feeds by the sea.