Circus cyaneus
- noun
- Specialized
:
Circus cyaneus
- We spotted a Circus cyaneus gliding low over the marshes during our birdwatching trip.
Examples
-
The Circus cyaneus is easily recognized by its long wings and white rump patch.
-
Conservationists are making efforts to protect the habitat of Circus cyaneus in the open fields of Europe.
-
The Circus cyaneus is often seen hunting over marshes.
-
In Europe, the Circus cyaneus nests in open fields.
-
During our hike in Europe, we were thrilled to see a Circus cyaneus soaring gracefully over the open fields.
-
The Circus cyaneus, known for its striking appearance, often hunts in marshes and wetlands.
-
In the early morning light, a Circus cyaneus was seen searching for prey in the tall grass of the meadow.
Synonyms
A medium bird of prey with long wings and tail that flies low to hunt over marshes and open land
A bird that nests in marshes and flies low to hunt small animals
A medium-sized bird of prey that hunts low over fields and marshes
Surface Forms
Morphology
Circus + cyaneus
This is a scientific Latin binomial rather than a compositional English phrase: 'Circus' here is a taxonomic genus and 'cyaneus' is a Latin species epithet (not a common English word and absent from the dictionary entry). A B1 learner who knows everyday English words would not be able to derive that this names a specific harrier species from the constituents alone, so the expression is opaque.
Etymology
Circus cyaneus comes from Latin words that describe the bird. The first part, Circus, comes from a word for a 'circle' because the bird often flies in circles, and cyaneus means 'blue' for its grey-blue color, so the name gives a simple picture to help you remember the bird.
