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Glite Dictionary
genus Gavia

genus Gavia

9.9
A group of water birds called loons that dive well and make loud calls
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒiːnəs ˈɡeɪviə/
  • Specialized
: género Gavia
  • The common loon is the most familiar of the world's five loon species, all of which belong to the genus Gavia and summer in northern North America and Eurasia.

Examples

  • The common loon is a striking bird that belongs to the genus Gavia, recognized for its unique calls and diving skills.

  • Birdwatchers often seek to identify species from the genus Gavia during their summer trips to lakes.

  • Scientists study the genus Gavia to understand the evolutionary traits of aquatic birds.

Synonyms

Gavia
vsgenus Gavia
  • Specialized
1 9.8

A group of water birds like loons that dive in northern lakes

emphasizes its status as the family's type genus and notable calls and diving ability

Surface Forms

genus Gavia singular
genera Gavia plural

Morphology

genus + Gavia

This phrase is fully compositional: 'genus' names a biological rank and 'Gavia' is the taxonomic name for loons, so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the genus called Gavia (the group of loons). The construction follows standard cross-linguistic scientific naming patterns, making the meaning directly derivable from the constituents.

Etymology

Genus Gavia comes from an old Latin word 'gavia' for a 'seabird'. Because these birds dive well and make loud calls, scientists used Gavia as the group name for the 'loons', so the name helps you remember they are sea-diving birds.