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Carduelis cucullata

Carduelis cucullata

9.9
A small South American finch with a bright red body and black head, wings and tail
  • proper noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Carduelis cucullata
  • The Carduelis cucullata is renowned for its vibrant scarlet plumage and melodious song.

Examples

  • Many birdwatchers travel to Venezuela hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Carduelis cucullata.

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the endangered Carduelis cucullata in its native habitats.

  • The Carduelis cucullata is known for its vibrant red plumage.

  • Look at that beautiful Carduelis cucullata perched on the branch!

  • Many birdwatchers travel to Venezuela hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Carduelis cucullata.

  • Conservation efforts are underway to protect the endangered Carduelis cucullata in its native habitats.

  • The Carduelis cucullata is renowned for its vibrant scarlet plumage and melodious song.

Synonyms

red siskin
vsCarduelis cucullata
9.2

South American small bird with bright red body and black head, wings, and tail

is the formal scientific name used in taxonomy

How Colorful

macaw
7 4.1
tanager
  • US
3 9.9
Carduelis cucullata
  • Specialized
9.9
finch
39 1.6
sparrow
38 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Carduelis + cucullata

This is a Latin scientific binomial (a proper name) rather than a compositional English phrase; it functions as a species label and does not follow ordinary English word-combination patterns. Even if a learner recognized 'Carduelis' as a finch genus, 'cucullata' is a specialized/Latin descriptor (missing from the dictionary here) and would not allow a B1 learner to infer the common meaning 'red siskin' or the described plumage, so the expression is not transparently derivable.

Etymology

Carduelis cucullata may come from old Latin words: Carduelis was used for small finches like the 'goldfinch', and cucullata means 'hooded' because the bird has a dark, hood-like head. That's why the name points to a small, bright finch with a dark 'hood', the red siskin.