song-thrush
Definition
- Noun:
- A common European thrush (Turdus philomelos) known for its melodious song, often repeating phrases from other birds or musical notes. It is also called the "mistle thrush" in some regions, but more precisely refers to a smaller, brownish thrush with a spotted breast.
Usage Examples
- (A bird known for its beautiful, repeating song.)
- (A specific species of thrush with a melodic call.)
Advanced Usage
- "Song-thrush" as a descriptor: In ornithology, the term may be used to distinguish this bird from other thrushes, such as the blackbird or fieldfare, based on its vocal abilities.
- The song-thrush's repertoire includes imitations of other birds, making it a skilled mimic. (The bird's singing ability is a key identifying feature.)
Variants and Related Words
Thrush (n): a general term for birds in the family Turdidae, many of which are known for singing.
- The thrush family includes the robin and the blackbird. (All thrushes are songbirds, but the song-thrush is a specific species.)
Mistle thrush (n): a larger, related species (Turdus viscivorus) with a harsher song, often confused with the song-thrush.
- The mistle thrush is larger and has a more aggressive call than the song-thrush. (A different thrush species.)
Synonyms
Throstle (n): an old or poetic name for the song-thrush.
- The throstle's melody filled the woodland. (A synonym for song-thrush, used in literature.)
Wood thrush (n): a similar American species, but not the exact same bird.
- The wood thrush is related to the song-thrush but has a different song. (A related species from North America.)
Related Idioms
"Sing like a song-thrush": to sing beautifully and clearly.
- She sings like a song-thrush, her voice carrying across the valley. (Her singing is melodious and pure.)
"As common as a song-thrush": very common in a particular area, especially in rural Europe.
- In spring, these birds are as common as a song-thrush in the countryside. (They are frequently seen and heard.)