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Glite Dictionary
Quiscalus quiscula

Quiscalus quiscula

9.9
A black bird from eastern North America with shiny feathers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : quiscale negro
  • The iridescent feathers of Quiscalus quiscula shimmer in the sunlight.

Examples

  • Researchers observed the nesting behavior of Quiscalus quiscula in both rural and urban environments.

  • Flocks of Quiscalus quiscula can often be seen foraging in agricultural fields.

  • The Quiscalus quiscula is often seen in urban areas.

  • Have you ever spotted a Quiscalus quiscula in the wild?

  • Flocks of Quiscalus quiscula can often be seen foraging in agricultural fields.

  • The iridescent feathers of Quiscalus quiscula shimmer in the sunlight.

  • Researchers observed the nesting behavior of Quiscalus quiscula in both rural and urban environments.

Synonyms

crow blackbird
vsQuiscalus quiscula
  • US
8.4

A large black bird with a long tail and shiny feathers

is the scientific name for the same bird rather than the common name
purple grackle
vsQuiscalus quiscula
  • US
9.6

A bird in the eastern United States that has shiny purple-black feathers

is described as glossy black with iridescent sheen rather than specifically purplish

Surface Forms

Quiscalus quiscula singular
Quiscalus quisculas plural

Morphology

Quiscalus + quiscula

This is a Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet) rather than a normal English phrase; if a learner knows 'Quiscalus' as a genus of blackbirds they can partly infer it names a species of that genus, but understanding it as a species name requires domain knowledge of taxonomic naming and the second element ('quiscula') carries no independent, transparent meaning. Because part of the meaning (a type of Quiscalus/blackbird) is recoverable from the constituents but the full interpretation depends on specialized knowledge, it is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

The name Quiscalus quiscula may come from an old word that copied the bird's call, and the repeated form Quiscalus/quiscula makes a strong image of a noisy flock. That's why Quiscalus quiscula is the name for the glossy black grackle found in eastern North America.