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Glite Dictionary
Zenaidura macroura

Zenaidura macroura

9.9
A common North American dove with a soft, sad cooing call
  • noun
  • /zəˈneɪdʊrə məˈkruːrə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : Zenaidura macroura
  • The distinctive call of the Zenaidura macroura is often heard at dawn in rural areas.

Examples

  • The gentle cooing of the Zenaidura macroura adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.

  • The Zenaidura macroura is often seen in backyards.

  • Birdwatchers frequently spot the Zenaidura macroura perched on telephone wires.

  • Have you ever heard the call of a Zenaidura macroura?

  • Birdwatchers frequently spot the Zenaidura macroura perched on telephone wires.

  • The distinctive call of the Zenaidura macroura is often heard at dawn in rural areas.

  • The gentle cooing of the Zenaidura macroura adds to the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside.

Synonyms

dove
vsZenaidura macroura
58 1.0

A small white pigeon often shown as a sign of peace

is North American wild species known for a soft mournful call not a peace symbol
mourning dove
vsZenaidura macroura
  • US
1 6.2

A small wild bird in North America that makes a soft, sad cooing sound

is the same species but uses a scientific label rather than the common name

Surface Forms

Zenaidura macroura singular
Zenaidura macrouras plural

Morphology

Zenaidura + macroura

This is a Latin scientific binomial rather than a compositional English phrase; the genus and species parts are taxonomic labels (one rare/obsolete, the other not a dictionary word), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent tokens would not be able to derive the common meaning 'mourning dove'. Taxonomic names do not follow ordinary compositional semantics and are language-specific labels, making the expression unpredictable to learners.

Etymology

Zenaidura macroura was named for a woman and for its 'long tail': Zenaidura from 'Zenaida' and macroura meaning 'long tail'. People call it the 'mourning dove' because its soft, sad coo sounds like someone mourning. So the name helps you remember a gentle, long-tailed bird with a mournful call.