red-breasted merganser
Definition
Noun: A widely distributed diving duck (Mergus serrator) of America and Europe, characterized by a distinctive, shaggy crest and, in males, a cinnamon-red breast and iridescent green head.
Usage
The term "red-breasted merganser" is used specifically to identify this species of waterfowl. It is a standard ornithological name.
Examples: * We spotted a red-breasted merganser fishing in the coastal inlet. * The male red-breasted merganser is easily identified by its dark green head and red chest. * Red-breasted mergansers are often seen in small flocks during the winter.
Advanced Usage
- The term is used in scientific and birdwatching contexts. It can be part of compound nouns when specifying age or sex, such as "female red-breasted merganser" or "immature red-breasted merganser."
Variants and Related Words
- Merganser (n): The general term for this genus of fish-eating ducks, also known as sawbills.
- Goosander (n): The common name for , a closely related, larger merganser.
- Smew (n): The common name for , a smaller, related merganser.
Synonyms
- Sawbill (a general term for mergansers, referring to their serrated bills)
- Fish duck (a general, informal term)
Related Phrases
- Diving duck: A category of ducks to which the red-breasted merganser belongs, describing its feeding behavior.
- Serrated bill: A key physical feature of all mergansers, including the red-breasted merganser, used for catching fish.
Noun
-
widely distributed merganser of America and Europe
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
