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Glite Dictionary
Vireo olivaceous

Vireo olivaceous

9.9
A North American songbird with red eyes, an olive grey back and white belly
  • noun
  • /vaɪˈriːoʊ ˌɒlɪˈveɪʃəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vireo oliváceo
  • The olive-grey plumage of the Vireo olivaceous helps it blend into the forest canopy.

Examples

  • The Vireo olivaceous is often heard before it is seen, thanks to its distinctive song.

  • The Vireo olivaceous is often found in dense forests.

  • Many birdwatchers hope to spot a Vireo olivaceous during spring migration.

  • Did you see the Vireo olivaceous near the river?

  • Many birdwatchers hope to spot a Vireo olivaceous during spring migration.

  • The Vireo olivaceous is often heard before it is seen, thanks to its distinctive song.

  • The olive-grey plumage of the Vireo olivaceous helps it blend into the forest canopy.

Synonyms

red-eyed vireo
vsVireo olivaceous
  • US
7.9

A small North American songbird with red eyes, greenish-grey back and white belly

is the formal scientific name used by specialists rather than casual speech

Surface Forms

Vireo olivaceous singular
Vireo olivaceouses plural

Morphology

vireo + olivaceous

The compound is compositionally built from 'vireo' (a type of songbird) + 'olivaceous' (olive-colored), so the meaning 'an olive‑colored vireo' is directly derivable from the parts. Even though it is presented as a Latin binomial, the noun+color descriptor pattern is cross‑linguistically common, making it transparent for a learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The name Vireo olivaceous comes from Latin: Vireo means 'green' and olivaceous means 'olive-coloured'. So the name makes you picture a small olive-grey bird with red eyes, which helps you remember it is the red-eyed vireo.