Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
bandtail

bandtail

9.9
A wild pigeon from western North America often mistaken for the passenger pigeon
  • noun
  • /ˈbændˌteɪl/
  • US
translation icon : paloma de cola anillada
  • Many birdwatchers often mistake a bandtail for a passenger pigeon.

Examples

  • Conservationists are studying the habitat of the bandtail to better understand its population trends.

  • The bandtail is commonly found in forested mountain regions.

  • The bandtail is often seen in wooded areas.

  • Many birdwatchers are excited to spot a bandtail.

  • Many birdwatchers often mistake a bandtail for a passenger pigeon.

  • Conservationists are studying the habitat of the bandtail to better understand its population trends.

  • The bandtail is commonly found in forested mountain regions.

Synonyms

pigeon
vsbandtail
247 1.0

A plump bird with a small head often seen in cities

is one specific western species, not the entire family
Columba fasciata
vsbandtail
  • Specialized
9.9

A large wild pigeon that lives in western North America and has a band on its tail

is the everyday name rather than the formal Latin name
band-tailed pigeon
vsbandtail
  • US
7.7

A wild pigeon from western North America with a broad dark band on its tail

is the common label not focused on the tail marking
band-tail pigeon
vsbandtail
  • US
8.1

A wild pigeon from western North America that is larger than city pigeons

does not emphasise size, focusing on the species identity

Surface Forms

bandtail singular
bandtails plural

Morphology

bandtail = band + tail (semi-transparent) = band + tail

The components 'band' + 'tail' transparently describe a banded tail, but identifying the term as a specific pigeon species requires extra ornithological knowledge.

Etymology

Bandtail comes from the simple parts band ('stripe') and tail ('back part of the bird'). So a bandtail is a pigeon named for the light 'band' across its tail, which helps birdwatchers recognize it.