Bucephela clangula

9.9

A diving duck with a large head and yellow eyes that lives in northern lakes

noun

Specialized

: goldeneye

During their migration, flocks of Bucephela clangula can be seen diving for food in northern lakes.

Examples

The Bucephela clangula is easily recognized by its striking yellow eyes and distinctive head shape.
Ornithologists studied the breeding habits of Bucephela clangula in remote Arctic environments.
The Bucephela clangula is known for its striking appearance.
Did you see the Bucephela clangula at the lake?
During their migration, flocks of Bucephela clangula can be seen diving for food in northern lakes.
Ornithologists studied the breeding habits of Bucephela clangula in remote Arctic environments.
The Bucephela clangula is easily recognized by its striking yellow eyes and distinctive head shape.

Synonyms

goldeneye

vsBucephela clangula

1 9.0

A diving duck with bright yellow eyes that lives in cold northern lakes

is the formal species name used instead of common names

whistler

vsBucephela clangula

1 9.9

A fast-diving duck with bright eyes that lives near cold northern lakes

is the primary species name rather than this alternative label

Surface Forms

Bucephela clangula singular

Bucephela clangulas plural

Morphology

Bucephela + Clangula

This is a scientific binomial (Latinized) name made of proper/taxonomic elements, one of which is not a standard English word. An average B1 learner who knows the constituent forms would not be able to derive the species meaning (a type of duck) because taxonomic names function as arbitrary labels rather than compositional phrases, so the meaning is not predictable from the parts.

Etymology

Bucephela clangula comes from old words that picture a 'big head': the part Bucephela points to the duck's large, rounded head, and clangula is the species name. So the name helps you remember the diving bird we call the 'common goldeneye' by its big head and bright yellow eyes.