Setophaga ruticilla

9.9

A small bird called the American redstart whose male has bright orange patches on its wings and tail

noun
/sɛˈtoʊfəɡə ruˈtɪʧɪlə/

Specialized

: Setophaga ruticilla

Birdwatchers eagerly spotted a male Setophaga ruticilla displaying its vivid orange markings.

Examples

During migration, the Setophaga ruticilla can be seen flitting through forest canopies.
Researchers are studying the breeding patterns of Setophaga ruticilla in northern regions.
The Setophaga ruticilla is often seen flitting through the trees.
Have you spotted a Setophaga ruticilla in your backyard?
Birdwatchers eagerly spotted a male Setophaga ruticilla displaying its vivid orange markings.
During migration, the Setophaga ruticilla can be seen flitting through forest canopies.
Researchers are studying the breeding patterns of Setophaga ruticilla in northern regions.

Synonyms

American redstart

vsSetophaga ruticilla

Specialized

7.7

A small North American bird whose male has bright orange patches

is the scientific species name used in formal or scientific contexts

Surface Forms

Setophaga ruticilla singular

Setophaga ruticillas plural

Morphology

Setophaga + ruticilla

This is a Latin binomial (scientific name) rather than a compositional English phrase; its meaning (the American redstart) is a taxonomic label and not derivable from the parts. One constituent is undefined ('ruticilla') and even knowing 'Setophaga' as a genus of songbirds does not allow a B1 learner to infer the specific species identity or the descriptive features, so the overall meaning is not predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

Setophaga ruticilla may come from older words meaning 'insect eater' for Setophaga and 'little red tail' for ruticilla. Imagine a small warbler flashing bright orange on its tail — that image explains why the scientific name and the English name 'American redstart' both point to the bird's red tail.