mocking thrush

8.1

A small songbird that copies the songs and calls of other birds

noun
/ˈmɑkɪŋ θrʌʃ/

: mirlo cantor

Researchers observed a mocking thrush mimicking the song of a finch.

Examples

A mocking thrush can imitate the calls of over 200 species.
A mocking thrush can imitate the calls of other birds remarkably well.
The Galapagos Islands are home to several unique species of mocking thrush.
The mocking thrush sang beautifully in the morning.
A mocking thrush can imitate the calls of over 200 bird species with ease.
Researchers recorded a mocking thrush mimicking the beautiful song of a nightingale.
In the woods, the mocking thrush surprised everyone with its ability to mimic different bird songs.

Synonyms

mockingbird

vsmocking thrush

35 5.8

A gray and white songbird that copies other birds' songs

is a broader thrush-like mimic idea, not limited to that look or region

thrasher

vsmocking thrush

Specialized

1 9.1

A medium-sized songbird that often copies other birds' songs

is a general thrush-like bird description, not the formal family name

Surface Forms

mocking thrush singular

mocking thrushes plural

Morphology

mock + thrush

The meaning 'a thrush-like bird that mimics other birds' is directly derivable from combining 'mock' (to imitate) with 'thrush' (a bird): an adjective+noun composition describing a bird that imitates. This follows a common, transparent compounding pattern and the relevant sense of 'mock' (to imitate) is accessible to B1 learners, so they would likely infer the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Mocking thrush gets its name from its habit of copying other birds' songs. The word mocking means 'to copy' sounds and thrush is a songbird, so the name points to a bird known for imitating other birds.