quelea
1
9.9
A small African bird that forms very large flocks and can damage crops
- noun
- /kwɪˈliːə/
- South African
:
quelea
- In Africa, large flocks of quelea can often be seen searching for seeds in the fields.
- quelea birds
Examples
-
During migration, massive numbers of quelea fly together, creating a stunning sight in the sky.
-
The guides answered, "A quelea," which is a bird about the size of a sparrow.
Academic text (1999) -
The farmer worried that the quelea would eat all his crops if they settled near his farm.
Synonyms
weaver
vsquelea
2
7.5
A small bird that makes hanging nests from grass and twigs
is the particular African species that gathers in vast flocks and damages crops
1
8.8
A small African or Asian bird that builds woven nests in groups
is the specific small African species that forms huge flocks and harms crops
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word quelea comes from a local African name for this little weaver bird and was used by scientists as the name for the group Quelea. A helpful way to remember it is to think of 'quail' — both are small, seed-eating birds — so quelea refers to tiny African birds that gather in huge flocks and can damage crops.