grey catbird

Thân thiện

A grey catbird perches on a garden fence, singing.

Definition

Noun: 1. A North American songbird (Dumetella carolinensis) whose characteristic call resembles the mewing of a cat. It is a medium-sized, slate-gray bird known for its secretive nature in dense thickets and its long, melodious song interspersed with cat-like mews.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We heard the distinctive call of a grey catbird from the raspberry bushes.
  • The grey catbird is a common summer resident in this part of the country.

Advanced Usage

• As a subject of ornithological study: The term is used in scientific and birdwatching contexts to specifically identify this species.
  • The study focused on the migratory patterns of the grey catbird.

Variants and Related Words

• Catbird (n): A common shortened form for "grey catbird."
  • A catbird was singing in the hedge.

Synonyms

• Dumetella carolinensis (n): The scientific binomial name for the grey catbird.
• Slate-colored mockingbird (n): An informal descriptive name referencing its appearance and song style.

Related Phrases

• In the catbird seat (idiom): In a favorable or powerful position. (Note: This idiom is associated with the broader term "catbird" but is not specific to the species).
  • After the promotion, he was sitting in the catbird seat.

Học thuật

Noun

1. North American songbird whose call resembles a cat's mewing

Từ đồng nghĩa

• catbird
• gray catbird
• Dumetella carolinensis