ricebird
Definition
- Noun:
- A small finch-like Indonesian weaverbird that frequents rice fields: This meaning refers to a specific type of bird, the Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora), known for inhabiting rice-growing areas in parts of Asia.
- A migratory American songbird: This meaning refers to the Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), a North American bird known for its long migrations and for sometimes feeding in rice fields or grain crops.
Usage Examples
Noun (Indonesian weaverbird):
- The ricebird is considered a pest in some Indonesian rice paddies.
- We observed a flock of ricebirds feeding on the grains.
Noun (American songbird):
- In the fall, the ricebird gathers in large flocks before migrating south.
- The call of the ricebird is a distinctive part of the summer meadow.
Advanced Usage
- The term "ricebird" is a common name, not a scientific one, and its specific referent depends heavily on geographical context. In Asia, it typically means the Java sparrow. In North America, it always means the Bobolink.
- The name originates from the bird's association with rice agriculture, either as a frequent visitor to rice fields (Java sparrow) or as a consumer of rice and grain (Bobolink).
Variants and Related Words
- Java sparrow: The more precise common name for the Asian .
- Bobolink: The more precise common name for the American .
- Weaverbird: The family of birds to which the Java sparrow belongs.
- Songbird: A broad category that includes the Bobolink.
Synonyms
- For the Indonesian bird: Java finch, Java sparrow.
- For the American bird: Bobolink, reedbird (an older synonym).
Related Phrases
- Rice paddy bird: A descriptive phrase sometimes used similarly to for the Asian species.
- To flock like ricebirds: An uncommon simile describing a large, gathering group.
Notes on Meaning
- The dual meaning of ricebird is a classic example of how common bird names can cause confusion, as they refer to completely different species on different continents. The shared element is their ecological interaction with rice or similar grains.
Noun
-
small finch-like Indonesian weaverbird that frequents rice fields
-
migratory American songbird
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