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Glite Dictionary
Charadrius vociferus

Charadrius vociferus

9.9
A North American bird that lives near rivers and fields and makes a loud, high-pitched call
  • noun
  • /kəˈrædriəs voʊˈsɪfərəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Charadrius vociferus
  • The Charadrius vociferus is easily recognized by its piercing, two-note call near riverbanks and open fields.

Examples

  • Researchers documented the habits of Charadrius vociferus throughout the breeding season in agricultural landscapes.

  • Birdwatchers spotted a Charadrius vociferus sheltering its eggs on the gravelly shore.

  • Look at that Charadrius vociferus!

  • I saw a Charadrius vociferus today.

  • Birdwatchers spotted a Charadrius vociferus sheltering its eggs on the gravelly shore.

  • The Charadrius vociferus is easily recognized by its piercing, two-note call near riverbanks and open fields.

  • Researchers documented the habits of Charadrius vociferus throughout the breeding season in agricultural landscapes.

Synonyms

killdeer
vsCharadrius vociferus
  • US
1 9.7

A medium-sized brown and white bird often seen near water or fields that makes a loud high cry

focuses more on the loud high pitched sound of the call
kildeer
vsCharadrius vociferus
  • US
9.9

A bird with long legs found near water and fields that makes a loud call

is more specific about the high pitched quality of the call
killdeer plover
vsCharadrius vociferus
  • US
9.1

A medium-sized North American bird with a loud, repeating cry that lives near ponds and fields

stresses species identity and the loud high pitched call

Surface Forms

Charadrius vociferus singular
Charadrius vociferuses plural

Morphology

Charadrius + vociferus

The binomial combines a genus name for wading birds (Charadrius) with a Latin-looking modifier (vociferus) that suggests 'noisy' or 'vociferous', so a learner who knows those constituents could infer 'a noisy wading bird'. However, the expression is a scientific species name referring specifically to the killdeer, and that precise referent is not directly predictable from the parts alone, making the relation only partially transparent.

Etymology

Charadrius vociferus may come from old Greek and Latin words: Charadrius for a small bird that lives by streams or the shore and vociferus meaning 'noisy' or 'loud'. That's why the name fits this North American plover, which lives near water and is known for its sharp, loud call.