Erolia alpina
- noun
- Specialized
:
Erolia alpina
- Every spring, thousands of Erolia alpina migrate north to breed in Arctic regions.
Examples
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Researchers studied the feeding habits of Erolia alpina along the southern U.S. coastline.
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Birdwatchers in the Mediterranean often spot Erolia alpina during its winter migration.
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The Erolia alpina is known for its long migrations.
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Did you see an Erolia alpina at the marsh?
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During winter, many birdwatchers travel to the Mediterranean to observe the Erolia alpina migrating south.
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In May, scientists track the return of Erolia alpina to its breeding grounds in the Arctic.
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The small Erolia alpina is recognized for its distinctive calls while feeding along the sandy shores.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A small shore bird with a long slightly curved bill and a dark belly patch in summer
A small wading bird with a red back that breeds in the Arctic and flies south in winter
Surface Forms
Morphology
Erolia + alpina
The form 'Erolia alpina' follows the Latin binomial (genus + species) pattern, so a learner who knows 'Erolia' is a formal genus name could infer it refers to a biological species. However, 'alpina' is not an English lexical item here and the specific referent (a small migratory sandpiper and its ecological details) cannot be derived from the parts, so the meaning is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Erolia alpina may get its name from old bird names: Erolia was used for small shorebirds and alpina means 'from high, cold places'. Picture a tiny sandpiper running along Arctic coasts in summer and then flying south for the winter — that image explains why the name fits a small northern-breeding, winter-migrating shorebird today.