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Ploceus philippinus

Ploceus philippinus

9.9
A small bird from India that builds hanging woven nests
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : baya
  • The Ploceus philippinus constructs elaborate nests that hang from branches.

Examples

  • In rural villages, the distinctive nests of the Ploceus philippinus are a common sight.

  • Birdwatchers travel across India to spot the colorful Ploceus philippinus during nesting season.

  • The Ploceus philippinus builds elaborate nests.

  • Look at that Ploceus philippinus hanging its nest!

  • Birdwatchers travel across India to spot the colorful Ploceus philippinus during nesting season.

  • In rural villages, the distinctive nests of the Ploceus philippinus are a common sight.

  • The Ploceus philippinus constructs elaborate nests that hang from branches.

Synonyms

baya
vsPloceus philippinus
  • Indian
9.9

A small brown and yellow bird that builds hanging nests

is the scientific species name used in formal or technical contexts

Surface Forms

Morphology

Ploceus + philippinus

This is a Latin scientific binomial rather than an ordinary English phrase; even if a learner knows 'Ploceus' as a genus of weaverbirds and the form 'philippinus', the conventions of taxonomic naming and Latinized endings are specialized and not transparent to a B1 learner. The common-language meaning ('a particular species of weaverbird') cannot be derived from the constituents in normal English usage, so it is effectively opaque.

Etymology

Ploceus philippinus may come from words that mean 'weaver' and 'of the Philippines', but the strong image is the first part: Ploceus points to a bird that 'weaves' long hanging nests from grass. That's why the name fits a small weaverbird known for its fancy hanging nests.