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Glite Dictionary
Salpinctes obsoletus

Salpinctes obsoletus

9.9
A small brown bird that nests in cracks between rocks in dry open places
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Salpinctes obsoletus
  • Birdwatchers in Arizona frequently spot Salpinctes obsoletus nesting in crevices of the mesas.

Examples

  • The Salpinctes obsoletus is often observed hopping among rocks in arid regions.

  • The call of Salpinctes obsoletus echoes through canyons during the early morning hours.

  • The Salpinctes obsoletus is often found in rocky habitats.

  • Have you ever spotted a Salpinctes obsoletus in the wild?

  • Birdwatchers in Arizona frequently spot Salpinctes obsoletus nesting in crevices of the mesas.

  • The Salpinctes obsoletus is often observed hopping among rocks in arid regions.

  • The call of Salpinctes obsoletus echoes through canyons during the early morning hours.

Synonyms

rock wren
vsSalpinctes obsoletus
  • US
8.8

A small songbird that lives among rocks in dry areas of western North America

refers to a single species native to badlands and mesas in US and Mexico
Salpinctes
vsSalpinctes obsoletus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small brown bird called the rock wren that lives on rocky places in North and Central America

names a single species limited to badlands and mesas in western US and Mexico

Surface Forms

Salpinctes obsoletus singular
Salpinctes obsoleti plural

Morphology

Salpinctes + obsoletus

This is a Latin binomial taxonomic name: knowing 'Salpinctes' as a wren genus may signal it is a bird, but the species epithet 'obsoletus' is not a transparent English word (dictionary entry not found) and does not clearly convey 'rock wren' or habitat information. Therefore the specific common-name meaning cannot be derived from the parts, so a B1 learner would not predict the intended sense from the constituents.

Etymology

Salpinctes obsoletus may come from old words: salpinctes meaning 'trumpet' for its loud, clear song and obsoletus meaning 'worn' or 'plain' for its dull brown look. So the name gives a picture of a plain-coloured rock wren with a strong call that rings among the rocks.