Definition

Noun 1. A crow-sized black-and-white bird, known for being a good mimic and often kept in a cage. This term refers specifically to the Australian bird species Gymnorhina tibicen, commonly known as the Australian magpie.

Usage Notes

• The term "piping crow-shrike" is a specific common name for a particular bird species. It is a compound noun used as a single identifier.
• It is primarily used in ornithological contexts or in regions where the bird is native (Australia). In everyday language, the name "Australian magpie" is far more common.
• The hyphen in "crow-shrike" links the two words to form a single descriptive unit modifying "piping."

Examples

• The distinctive call of the piping crow-shrike is a familiar sound in the Australian bush.
• Early naturalists documented the piping crow-shrike for its remarkable vocal abilities.
• A piping crow-shrike was observed mimicking the sound of a car alarm.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used attributively (like an adjective) to describe related nouns.
  • Example: We studied the piping crow-shrike population in the park.

Variants and Related Words

• Australian Magpie: The most common and widely used name for the same bird ().
• Magpie (in an Australian context): Often used as a shortened form, but can be ambiguous elsewhere as it may refer to other magpie species.
• Piping Crow: A less common, shortened variant of the full name.

Synonyms

• Australian magpie
• (Formal/Scientific)

Notes on Meaning

• The name descriptively combines key features: "piping" refers to its flute-like or whistling calls, "crow" suggests its approximate size and some behavioral similarities, and "shrike" is an old term for certain perching birds, though this bird is not a true shrike. The "good mimic often caged" part of the definition highlights its notable behavioral trait of vocal mimicry, which made it a popular cage bird historically.

Noun

1. crow-sized black-and-white bird; a good mimic often caged