Euphagus carilonus

9.9

A North American blackbird with bluish-black feathers that get rusty edges in fall

noun

Specialized

: Euphagus carilonus

The Euphagus carilonus is easily recognizable in autumn due to the rusty edges that appear on its otherwise bluish-black feathers.

Examples

Unlike other blackbirds, the Euphagus carilonus has distinct rusty edges on its feathers in fall.
The Euphagus carilonus can often be seen flocking in wetlands during migration.
Naturalists study the changes in plumage coloration that make the Euphagus carilonus easy to identify in autumn.
The Euphagus carilonus is known for its unique coloration.
Look at that Euphagus carilonus!
Naturalists study the plumage of the Euphagus carilonus, noting how its feathers develop rusty edges in the fall.
During migration, flocks of Euphagus carilonus can be seen gathering in wetlands, showcasing their distinctive coloration.

Synonyms

rusty blackbird

vsEuphagus carilonus

1 9.3

A North American blackbird with dark feathers that have rusty edges in autumn

is the same concept but presented as a different name form

Surface Forms

Euphagus carilonus singular

Euphagus carilonuses plural

Morphology

Euphagus + carilonus

The binomial combines the known genus Euphagus (a group of North American blackbirds) with a specific epithet, so a learner who knows the constituents can infer it names a species of that genus (i.e., a type of blackbird). However, the detailed descriptive meaning (bluish-black feathers with rusty edges in fall) is not derivable from the epithet 'carilonus' (unknown) and Latin species names are often arbitrary, so the full meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Euphagus carilonus is a North American blackbird whose dark feathers in 'autumn' grow thin rusty edges, so it looks like a bluish-black bird with a rusty trim. So this clear image helps you remember why the name refers to the blackbird known for its rusty-edged feathers.