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Glite Dictionary
European shrike

European shrike

9.9
A small songbird in Europe that catches insects and small animals and puts them on thorns
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : alcaudón europeo
  • It is fascinating to observe how the European shrike impales its prey on sharp branches.

Examples

  • The European shrike is often spotted perched on fences searching for insects and small mammals.

  • Many European shrikes migrate during the winter months.

  • Birdwatchers from across the continent travel to see different species of European shrike in their natural habitats.

  • The European shrike is known for its unique hunting method.

  • Birdwatchers from across the continent travel to see different species of European shrike in their natural habitats.

  • It is fascinating to observe how the European shrike impales its prey on sharp branches.

  • The European shrike is often spotted perched on fences searching for insects and small mammals.

Synonyms

shrike
vsEuropean shrike
2 9.9

A small bird with a hooked bill that eats insects and small animals and often puts its food on thorns

is narrower, used for birds in one region rather than across the Old World
butcherbird
vsEuropean shrike
1 9.5

A songbird that hunts small animals and often sticks them on thorns or wire

is the narrower term for the particular regional species rather than a broad group
Lanius excubitor
vsEuropean shrike
  • Specialized
9.9

A medium-sized grey bird that eats small animals and often puts them on thorns or barbed wire

is the common, nontechnical name for that widely known bird

Surface Forms

European shrike singular
European shrikes plural

Morphology

European + shrike

The meaning is directly derived from the constituents: 'European' specifies geographic origin and 'shrike' names a type of bird, so together they denote the shrike species found in Europe. This adjective+noun compositional pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand the MWE.

Etymology

European shrike is named for the bird's odd habit: it catches insects and small animals and sticks them on thorns or barbed wire. People compared this to a butcher hanging meat, so it got the nickname 'butcherbird', and that's why the name means 'a small predatory songbird that impales its prey'.