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grass parakeet

grass parakeet

6.6
A small Australian parrot often green with black and yellow markings
  • noun
  • /ɡræs ˈpærəˌkit/
  • Australian
translation icon : periquito
  • In the wild, the grass parakeet displays beautiful green feathers with black and yellow markings.

Examples

  • Many bird enthusiasts breed the grass parakeet in a wide variety of vibrant colors.

  • I saw a grass parakeet at the pet store.

  • A grass parakeet can be a friendly addition to a family home if treated gently.

  • The grass parakeet chirped happily in its cage.

  • In the wild, the grass parakeet displays beautiful green feathers with black and yellow markings.

  • Many bird enthusiasts breed the grass parakeet in a wide variety of vibrant colors.

  • A grass parakeet can be a friendly addition to a family home if treated gently.

Synonyms

parakeet
vsgrass parakeet
26 1.8

A small thin bird with a long tail often kept as a pet

is the specific Australian species rather than the general parrot group
budgie
vsgrass parakeet
3 3.8

A small parrot from Australia often kept as a pet

is the neutral descriptive term rather than a casual nickname
budgerigar
vsgrass parakeet
1 8.1

A small green parakeet from Australia often kept as a pet

is the everyday descriptive term for the same small Australian bird
shell parakeet
vsgrass parakeet
  • Australian
6.0

A small Australian parrot often bright green with black and yellow spots that people keep as a colorful pet

is the general wild descriptive term not focused on pet forms
budgereegah
vsgrass parakeet
  • Australian
9.9

A small Australian parrot often green in the wild and kept as a colorful pet

is the modern descriptive term rather than the historical spelling
budgerygah
vsgrass parakeet
  • Australian
9.9

A small parakeet from Australia often green and yellow that people keep as a pet

is the current descriptive name used widely today
Melopsittacus undulatus
vsgrass parakeet
  • Specialized
7.2

A small Australian parakeet often kept as a pet with bright feathers

is the common descriptive term used outside scientific contexts

Surface Forms

Morphology

grass + parakeet

The meaning is directly compositional: a 'grass parakeet' is simply a kind of parakeet associated with grass/green coloration or habitat, so a learner who knows 'grass' and 'parakeet' can infer it refers to a small green parakeet. Noun+noun species naming is a common, cross-linguistic pattern, making the referent predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Grass parakeet comes from the bird's look and home: grass refers to grassy places and the bird's usual green color, and parakeet means a small parrot. So the name paints the picture of a 'small green parrot' that often lives in or near grass, which is why it refers to that Australian bird today.