hedge-sparrow
Definition
Noun: A small, brownish-grey bird (species Prunella modularis) of the accentor family, often found in hedges and gardens. Despite its name, it is not a true sparrow but is frequently mistaken for one due to its appearance and habitat.
Usage Examples
- (A bird of the accentor family seen in hedges.)
- (The bird is constructing a home in dense vegetation.)
Advanced Usage
- "hedge-sparrow's song": a rapid, thin, warbling series of notes, often delivered from a high perch.
- The hedge-sparrow's song filled the quiet morning air. (Its characteristic vocalization is described.)
Variants and Related Words
- Hedge (n): a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.
- The hedge was thick with leaves, perfect for the hedge-sparrow. (The bird's preferred habitat.)
- Sparrow (n): a small, typically brownish bird of the family Passeridae; note that the hedge-sparrow is not a true sparrow but is named for its similar appearance.
Synonyms
- Dunnock: the formal ornithological name for the hedge-sparrow.
- The dunnock is another name for the hedge-sparrow. (A scientific synonym.)
- Accentor: a bird of the genus , to which the hedge-sparrow belongs.
- The hedge-sparrow is a type of accentor. (Its taxonomic group.)
Related Idioms
- "As quiet as a hedge-sparrow": an uncommon idiom meaning very still or silent, referencing the bird's shy, unobtrusive nature.
- She sat as quiet as a hedge-sparrow, watching the scene unfold. (She was perfectly still and silent.)