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Glite Dictionary
Bucephala islandica

Bucephala islandica

9.9
A diving duck with black-and-white feathers and bright yellow eyes that lives in northern forests and lakes
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Bucephala islandica
  • Unlike other ducks, Bucephala islandica prefers breeding in forested regions near cold, clear lakes.

Examples

  • The Bucephala islandica can often be seen diving for food in northern lakes.

  • The Bucephala islandica is known for its striking black-and-white plumage and bright yellow eyes.

  • Birdwatchers traveled to the lake hoping to catch a glimpse of Bucephala islandica during migration season.

  • The Bucephala islandica is known for its striking appearance.

  • Have you ever seen a Bucephala islandica up close?

  • Birdwatchers traveled to the lake hoping to catch a glimpse of Bucephala islandica during migration season.

  • Unlike other ducks, Bucephala islandica prefers breeding in forested regions near cold, clear lakes.

Synonyms

Barrow's goldeneye
vsBucephala islandica
  • US
9.5

A North American diving duck with a white patch on its face and bright yellow eyes

emphasizes habitat in northern forests and lakes rather than distinctive male markings

Surface Forms

Bucephala islandica singular
Bucephalae islandica singular

Morphology

Bucephala + islandica

This is a Linnaean binomial (genus + specific epithet): a learner who knows 'Bucephala' as a genus of ducks can infer the phrase refers to a species of that duck. However, 'islandica' is a Latinized epithet whose precise sense ('from Iceland' or 'island-related') depends on knowledge of Latin/taxonomic naming conventions, so the referent is only partly predictable without domain knowledge.

Etymology

Bucephala islandica comes from old words. The part Bucephala means 'ox-headed', a way to say the duck has a thick, rounded head, and islandica means 'from Iceland', so the name helps you picture a chunky-headed diving duck tied to Iceland.