Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Limnodromus griseus

Limnodromus griseus

9.9
A wading bird with a grey back and a short bill found in North America
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Limnodromus griseus
  • We spotted a flock of Limnodromus griseus feeding along the muddy shoreline.

Examples

  • Birdwatchers often confuse the Limnodromus griseus with its close relative, the long-billed dowitcher.

  • The distinctive grey back of the Limnodromus griseus makes it easily recognizable among other shorebirds.

  • The Limnodromus griseus migrates long distances between its breeding and wintering grounds.

  • The Limnodromus griseus is often spotted near marshes.

  • Many bird watchers are excited to see the Limnodromus griseus this season.

  • During our trip to Canada, we were thrilled to observe a Limnodromus griseus wading through the shallow waters of a lake.

  • As the sun set, we watched a Limnodromus griseus forage for food along the wetlands.

Surface Forms

Limnodromus griseus singular
Limnodromus griseuses plural

Morphology

Limnodromus + griseus

The binomial is compositionally built from a genus name for a long-billed bird (Limnodromus) and a Latin species epithet (griseus, ‘grey’), so if a learner knew both constituents they could infer ‘the grey Limnodromus / short‑billed dowitcher’. However, because the second element is Latin and this is a technical taxonomic name rather than everyday English, the link is not reliably predictable for an average B1 learner without specialized or cross‑linguistic knowledge.

Etymology

Limnodromus griseus comes from old roots that give a clear image: limno means 'marsh', dromus means 'runner', and griseus means 'grey'. So the name literally says 'grey marsh runner' — a grey wading bird that runs along muddy shores, which helps you remember this short-billed dowitcher.