grassfinch

Thân thiện

A grassfinch perches on a branch in a sunlit aviary.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of small, often brightly colored Australian songbird: A "grassfinch" is a common name for several species of small, seed-eating birds belonging to the family Estrildidae. They are native to Australia and are known for their vibrant plumage, cheerful songs, and social behavior. 2. A popular cage bird: Due to their attractive appearance and pleasant sounds, many species of grassfinches are commonly kept as pets in aviaries or cages.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The aviary featured several colorful grassfinches from Australia.
  • He breeds zebra grassfinches, a popular variety for beginners.
  • The Gouldian grassfinch is prized for its spectacular rainbow of colors.

Advanced Usage

• The term "grassfinch" is not a strict taxonomic classification but a general descriptive name for various estrildid finches, often those that frequent grasslands. Specific types are usually referred to by their full common names (e.g., zebra grassfinch, Gouldian grassfinch).

Variants and Related Words

• Finch (n): A broader category of small, seed-eating songbirds with conical beaks, which includes grassfinches.
• Estrildid finch (n): The formal family name (Estrildidae) for grassfinches and their close relatives like waxbills and mannikins.
• Waxbill (n): A closely related group of small, often African, seed-eating birds, sometimes confused with or related to grassfinches.

Synonyms

• Estrildid finch
• Australian finch (This is a general synonym, though not all Australian finches are technically "grassfinches".)

Related Phrases

• Seed-eating bird: Describes the primary diet of the grassfinch.
• Cage bird: Describes its common role as a pet.

Học thuật

Noun

1. usually brightly-colored Australian weaverbirds; often kept as cage birds

Từ đồng nghĩa

• grass finch