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Otus sunia

Otus sunia

9.9
A small owl found in southern Asia that eats insects and small animals
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Otus sunia
  • The call of the Otus sunia is often heard at dusk in the forests of India.

Examples

  • Researchers have noted that Otus sunia feeds primarily on insects and small vertebrates.

  • Have you ever seen an Otus sunia in the wild?

  • Birdwatchers were thrilled to spot an Otus sunia perched quietly in the bamboo thicket.

  • The Otus sunia is known for its distinctive call.

  • Birdwatchers were thrilled to spot an Otus sunia perched quietly in the bamboo thicket.

  • Researchers have noted that Otus sunia feeds primarily on insects and small vertebrates.

  • The call of the Otus sunia is often heard at dusk in the forests of India.

Synonyms

Oriental scops owl
vsOtus sunia
  • Indian
8.3

A small Asian owl with a short body and a soft whistling call at night

focuses on the species' southern Asia distribution rather than physical features

Surface Forms

Otus sunia singular
Otus sunias plural

Morphology

Otus + sunia

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name: while 'Otus' indicates a genus of scops owls, the specific epithet 'sunia' has no independent, dictionary meaning. The species identity cannot be derived from ordinary word knowledge and requires taxonomic/specialist knowledge, so it is not predictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Otus sunia may come from old words meaning 'ear' and a local word for 'small owl'. The genus name Otus points to the small ear feathers many scops owls have, and sunia may come from a local Asian name, so the whole name tells us it is a small Asian scops owl.