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Glite Dictionary
tyrant bird

tyrant bird

9.9
A large American bird that catches insects in the air
  • noun
  • /ˈtaɪrənt bɜrd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pájaro tirano
  • The tyrant bird swooped down to catch a dragonfly on the wing.

Examples

  • Many species of tyrant bird are known for their impressive aerial hunting skills.

  • The tyrant bird swooped down to catch its prey.

  • Naturalists observed several tyrant birds feeding in the forest canopy at dusk.

  • Many tyrant birds can be found in the wetlands.

  • Naturalists observed several tyrant birds feeding in the forest canopy at dusk.

  • Many species of tyrant bird are known for their impressive aerial hunting skills.

  • The tyrant bird swooped down to catch a dragonfly on the wing.

Synonyms

tyrant flycatcher
vstyrant bird
  • Specialized
9.9

A large American bird that catches insects in flight

uses the common family label and everyday wording rather than the scientific name
New World flycatcher
vstyrant bird
  • US
9.9

A large American bird that catches insects in flight

uses the family's common label rather than emphasizing regional origin
tyrannid
vstyrant bird
  • Specialized
9.9

A small to medium bird in the Americas that catches insects in the air

focuses on everyday family name rather than the technical taxonomic description

Surface Forms

tyrant bird singular
tyrant birds plural

Morphology

tyrant + bird

A learner who knows 'tyrant' and 'bird' can infer this refers to a kind of bird and may guess an aggressive or dominant quality from 'tyrant', so part of the meaning is derivable from the constituents. However, the precise taxonomic sense (tyrant flycatcher family) and the specific behavior of catching insects in flight are specialized biological facts not predictable from the words alone, making the phrase only partially transparent.

Etymology

Tyrant bird comes from the word tyrant because early bird watchers saw these flycatchers fiercely defend their nests and 'boss' other birds away while they 'catch insects in flight'. So the picture of a small, bossy bird helps explain why the name refers to their bold behavior.