Bubulcus ibis
- noun
- Specialized
:
Bubulcus ibis
- The Bubulcus ibis is easily recognized by its snowy white feathers and yellow bill.
Examples
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A flock of Bubulcus ibis followed the cattle across the field in search of insects.
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Scientists have studied how Bubulcus ibis benefits both itself and large grazing animals through their association.
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The Bubulcus ibis is often seen in fields.
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Have you ever spotted a Bubulcus ibis near cattle?
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A flock of Bubulcus ibis followed the cattle across the field in search of insects.
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Scientists have studied how Bubulcus ibis benefits both itself and large grazing animals through their association.
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The Bubulcus ibis is easily recognized by its snowy white feathers and yellow bill.
Synonyms
A small white bird that follows cows to eat insects they disturb
Surface Forms
Morphology
This is a Linnaean binomial (genus + species) so a learner who knows 'Bubulcus' (a genus of herons) and 'ibis' (a bird) can infer it names a particular bird species; however the specific identity and everyday properties ('cattle egret', small white egret often near grazing animals) are not transparently derived from the literal parts. Because the term requires biological/taxonomic knowledge beyond basic vocabulary, it is partially but not fully predictable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Bubulcus ibis comes from the word Bubulcus, meaning 'person who looks after cattle', because this small white egret often follows cows and buffalo to eat the insects they scare up. So, the name and the bird's habit help you remember it as the egret that 'follows cattle'.
