cedar waxwing
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A widely distributed North American songbird (Bombycilla cedrorum) characterized by its sleek brown, gray, and yellow plumage, a distinctive crest, and red, waxy tips on some wing feathers.
Usage
- The cedar waxwing is often seen in flocks, feeding on berries.
- We identified the bird at the feeder as a cedar waxwing by its sharp crest and yellow-tipped tail.
- A flock of cedar waxwings descended upon the juniper tree.
Advanced Usage
- As a subject of ornithological study: The migratory patterns and diet of the cedar waxwing are well-documented.
- In descriptive natural writing: The silky plumage of the cedar waxwing gleamed in the afternoon light.
Variants and Related Words
- Waxwing: The broader family (Bombycillidae) to which the cedar waxwing belongs. Other species include the Bohemian waxwing.
- Bombycilla cedrorum: The scientific binomial name for the cedar waxwing.
Synonyms
- Silk-tail (an occasional informal name referencing its smooth plumage).
- Cedar bird (a less common variant of its name).
Related Phrases
- A flock of waxwings: The typical social grouping for this species.
- Waxy wing tips: Refers directly to the unique red secretions on the secondary feathers that give the bird its common name.
Noun
- widely distributed over temperate North America