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Glite Dictionary
Cursorius cursor

Cursorius cursor

9.9
A pale desert bird that runs fast to catch insects
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Cursorius cursor
  • The Cursorius cursor is well adapted to run swiftly across sandy terrain in search of insects.

Examples

  • The pale plumage of the Cursorius cursor helps it blend into its arid environment.

  • Birdwatchers in North Africa often hope to spot a Cursorius cursor during migration season.

  • The Cursorius cursor is known for its unique coloration.

  • Have you ever seen a Cursorius cursor in the wild?

  • Birdwatchers in North Africa often hope to spot a Cursorius cursor during migration season.

  • The Cursorius cursor is well adapted to run swiftly across sandy terrain in search of insects.

  • The pale plumage of the Cursorius cursor helps it blend into its arid environment.

Synonyms

cream-colored courser
vsCursorius cursor
  • UK
9.9

A pale sandy bird that runs quickly across dry plains

is the formal scientific name for the same species

Surface Forms

Cursorius cursor singular
Cursorius cursors plural

Morphology

Cursorius + cursor

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species). A B1 learner who knows 'Cursorius' as a group of birds could infer that Cursorius cursor is a kind of bird, but the specific meaning (the cream-colored courser and its desert habitat) and the species epithet are technical and not derivable from everyday word meanings. Because the taxonomic form gives partial information (it signals a bird species) but not the full, specific sense, it is only partially transparent to learners.

Etymology

Cursorius cursor comes from a word meaning 'runner', and both Cursorius and cursor point to running. These cream-colored desert birds run quickly across sand to catch insects, so the name helps you remember them as fast ground runners.