poorwill

Thân thiện

A poorwill rests on a rocky desert path at dusk.

Definition

Noun: 1. A nocturnal bird of the nightjar family (Caprimulgidae) found in western North America: The poorwill is a small, insectivorous bird known for its camouflaged plumage and its ability to enter a state of torpor (hibernation-like state) during cold weather. Its name is onomatopoeic, imitating its call.

Usage

• The primary use is as a common name for this specific bird species ().
• It is used in ornithological, zoological, and general descriptive contexts related to North American wildlife.

Examples

• Noun:
  • We heard the distinctive call of a poorwill as we camped in the desert.
  • The common poorwill is the only bird known to truly hibernate for extended periods.

Advanced Usage

• "Poor-will": An alternative spelling with a hyphen.
• Used in compound names to specify subspecies or related discussion, e.g., "the hibernation of the poorwill."

Variants and Related Words

• Nightjar: The broader family (Caprimulgidae) to which the poorwill belongs.
• Goatsucker: An old, less common folk name for birds in the nightjar family, based on the mistaken belief they suck milk from goats.
• Whip-poor-will: A related but distinct species of nightjar () with a different call and range.

Synonyms

• Nighthawk (Note: This typically refers to other species in the nightjar family, like those in the genus , and is not a perfect synonym for the poorwill).
• Nightjar (general term for the family).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the word "poorwill." It is primarily a technical/common name.

Học thuật

Noun

1. goatsucker of western North America

Từ đồng nghĩa

• phalaenoptilus nuttallii