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Glite Dictionary
Elanus leucurus

Elanus leucurus

9.9
A medium-sized grey and white kite that hovers over open fields
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Elanus leucurus
  • The Elanus leucurus can often be seen hovering above open fields in California.

Examples

  • With its striking plumage, the Elanus leucurus is easily identified by birdwatchers.

  • The Elanus leucurus is known for its impressive aerial displays as it hunts for small mammals.

  • Scientists tracked the migration patterns of Elanus leucurus across Central America.

  • The Elanus leucurus is often seen gliding over open fields.

  • Have you ever spotted an Elanus leucurus in the wild?

  • Birdwatchers often gather to observe the Elanus leucurus hunting in grassy fields during the spring.

  • In the warm regions of the Americas, the Elanus leucurus can be spotted perching on telephone poles.

Synonyms

white-tailed kite
vsElanus leucurus
  • US
8.2

A grey and white bird that hunts small animals in warm parts of the Americas

is the scientific Latin name for the same species

Surface Forms

Elanus leucurus singular
Elanus leucurus plural

Morphology

Elanus + leucurus

This is a Latin taxonomic binomial (genus + species epithet) rather than a compositional English phrase; a B1 learner who knows the surface forms (one of which is not an English word) would not be able to infer the common-name meaning 'white-tailed kite'. The species epithet 'leucurus' and the genus name require specialist or Latin-root knowledge beyond B1, so the expression is not transparently derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Elanus leucurus is the scientific name for the white-tailed kite. It may come from old Greek: Elanus was a word for a small 'kite' and leucurus means 'white tail', so the name points to the bird's pale tail and kite-like shape.