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tyrannid

tyrannid

9.9
A small to medium bird in the Americas that catches insects in the air
  • noun
  • /tɪˈrænɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tiránido
  • The tyrannid perched on the branch, watching for insects.

Examples

  • Several tyrannids were spotted feeding on insects near the riverbank.

  • The tyrannid is well known for its aggressive territorial behavior.

  • Researchers observed a rare species of tyrannid in the Amazon rainforest.

  • Many tyrannids are known for their aggressive behavior.

  • Researchers observed a rare species of tyrannid in the Amazon rainforest.

  • Several tyrannids were spotted feeding on insects near the riverbank.

  • The tyrannid is well known for its aggressive territorial behavior.

Synonyms

tyrant flycatcher
vstyrannid
  • Specialized
9.9

A large American bird that catches insects in flight

is identified as the taxonomic family rather than focusing on the hunting habit
tyrant bird
vstyrannid
  • Specialized
9.9

A large American bird that catches insects in the air

is the broader family term rather than referring only to hunting behavior
New World flycatcher
vstyrannid
  • US
9.9

A large American bird that catches insects in flight

designates the whole taxonomic family not just the insect catching trait

Surface Forms

tyrannid singular
tyrannids plural

Morphology

tyrannid = Tyrannidae (opaque) = tyrann + id

Formed from the scientific family name 'Tyrannidae' with the zoological suffix '-id' to name a member of that family, a technical formation not transparently meaningful to general learners.

Etymology

Tyrannid comes from the same root as tyrant, from a Greek word meaning 'ruler' or 'tyrant'. Many of these birds in the Americas are called 'tyrant flycatchers' because they act bold and aggressive, so think of a tyrannid as a small bird that behaves like a little 'tyrant' to remember it.