great grey owl

Thân thiện

A great grey owl perches silently on a pine branch in a snowy forest.

Definition

Noun: * A very large owl (Strix nebulosa) characterized by its rounded head without ear tufts, a distinctive facial disc with concentric gray circles, and primarily gray plumage with fine darker streaks. It is native to boreal forests across the northern regions of North America and Eurasia.

Usage

• The term great grey owl is used specifically to refer to this particular species of owl. It is a compound noun that functions as the common name for the bird.
  • The great grey owl is known for its exceptional hearing, which allows it to locate prey under deep snow.
  • We were lucky to spot a great grey owl perched silently at the forest edge.

Advanced Usage

• In ornithological contexts, the great grey owl is noted for being one of the world's largest owls by length, though much of its size is due to its dense, fluffy plumage.
  • Despite its impressive size, the great grey owl primarily preys on small voles.

Variants and Related Words

• Great Gray Owl: An alternative spelling, commonly used in American English.
• Strix nebulosa: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
• Lapland Owl: A historical or regional name sometimes used in parts of Eurasia.

Synonyms

• Spectral Owl (a less common poetic name referencing its ghostly appearance in flight).

Different Meanings

• The phrase "great grey owl" does not have other distinct meanings outside of its use as the name for this specific bird species. It is not typically used idiomatically.

Học thuật

Noun

1. large dish-faced owl of northern North America and western Eurasia

Từ đồng nghĩa

• great gray owl
• Strix nebulosa