Lanius borealis

9.9

A small northern North American bird that puts its prey on thorns or wire

noun
/ˈleɪniəs bɔˈriːəlɪs/

Specialized

: Lanius borealis

Biologists studied the feeding habits of Lanius borealis during the harsh Canadian winter.

Examples

The Lanius borealis is often seen perching on fence posts in the northern forests.
The distinctive call of the Lanius borealis can be heard across the tundra in early spring.
The Lanius borealis is often seen in open fields.
Have you spotted a Lanius borealis in the wild?
Biologists studied the feeding habits of Lanius borealis during the harsh Canadian winter.
The Lanius borealis is often seen perching on fence posts in the northern forests.
The distinctive call of the Lanius borealis can be heard across the tundra in early spring.

Synonyms

northern shrike

vsLanius borealis

Specialized

8.3

A small northern bird that catches insects and small animals and sticks them on thorns

is the scientific name used in formal classification

Surface Forms

Lanius borealis singular

Morphology

Lanius + borealis

The binomial is compositionally transparent: Lanius names a genus of shrikes and borealis (Latin for 'northern', familiar from phrases like 'aurora borealis') functions as a locational epithet, so the phrase denotes the northern shrike. This is a literal taxonomic combination rather than an idiomatic or metaphorical meaning, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Lanius borealis often sticks its food on thorns or barbed wire, like a butcher hanging meat. So the name comes from Lanius (a word for 'butcher') and borealis ('northern'), which explains the bird's 'butcherbird' habit and where it lives.