Piranga ludoviciana

9.9

A small songbird whose male has a red head and yellow body and that lives in western North America

noun
/pɪˈræŋɡə lʊdəˈvɪʃənə/

Specialized

: Piranga ludoviciana

The male Piranga ludoviciana is celebrated for his striking orange-red head and yellow body.

Examples

Researchers study the migration patterns of Piranga ludoviciana to learn more about changing climates.
Every spring, birdwatchers hope to spot the brightly colored Piranga ludoviciana in the western forests.
Look at that Piranga ludoviciana!
I spotted a Piranga ludoviciana in the park.
Every spring, birdwatchers hope to spot the brightly colored Piranga ludoviciana in the western forests.
The male Piranga ludoviciana is celebrated for his striking orange-red head and yellow body.
Researchers study the migration patterns of Piranga ludoviciana to learn more about changing climates.

Synonyms

western tanager

vsPiranga ludoviciana

8.9

A brightly colored songbird from western North America with black, yellow and orange red feathers

is the formal scientific species name rather than the common name

Surface Forms

Piranga ludoviciana singular

Piranga ludovicianas plural

Morphology

Piranga + ludoviciana

This is a scientific binomial (genus + specific epithet). A learner who knows 'Piranga' as a bird genus can infer the phrase names a species of that genus (i.e., a bird), so some categorical meaning is derivable. However the epithet 'ludoviciana' is Latin/unattested in the learner's vocabulary and does not transparently indicate the common name or specific traits, so the full meaning is not predictable.

Etymology

Piranga ludoviciana is the scientific name for the bright orange-red and yellow 'western tanager'. Early scientists used Piranga for colorful songbirds and added ludoviciana to show it was first found near Louisiana, so the name helps you remember the bird's bold colors and western home.