wren warbler
- noun
- Indian
- The wren warbler is often recognized by its intricate nest, which resembles those made by tailorbirds.
Examples
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The wren warbler is known for its distinctive whistling call in the early mornings.
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Many birdwatchers travel to India to catch a glimpse of the elusive wren warbler.
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Unlike most birds, the wren warbler constructs elaborate nests that hang from tree branches.
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The wren warbler sings beautifully in the morning.
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Did you see a wren warbler in the garden?
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Many birdwatchers travel to Asia and Africa to observe the unique nesting habits of the wren warbler.
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Early in the morning, the wren warbler can be heard singing a cheerful melody that fills the air.
Synonyms
A small active bird that sings many clear notes
A small active bird that sings, often brown or grey, from Europe, Asia and Africa
Small singing birds that eat insects and live in Asia and Africa
Surface Forms
Morphology
This compound is compositionally built from two bird names — 'wren' and 'warbler' — so its meaning (a warbler species related to or resembling wrens) is directly inferable from the constituents. The construction is descriptive rather than idiomatic and follows common noun-noun compounding patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand the MWE.
Etymology
Wren warbler comes from the two bird names wren and warbler, so it gives the picture of a tiny singing bird. One clear image is a little bird making a neat hanging nest from a branch, so the name points to a 'small songbird' that builds 'hanging nests'.