Definition

Noun: 1. A type of hummingbird: Any of various small South American hummingbirds characterized by having a sharp, pointed bill.

Usage

• The word "thornbill" is used specifically in ornithology (the study of birds) and birdwatching contexts to refer to this distinct group of hummingbirds.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , , ).
• Example: "Birdwatchers were excited to spot a thornbill among the tropical flowers."

Examples

• "The thornbill's needle-like bill is perfectly adapted for feeding on nectar from deep blossoms."
• "Several species of thornbill can be found in the Andean cloud forests."
• "Compared to other hummingbirds, the thornbill has a particularly slender and sharp beak."

Advanced Usage

• The name is descriptive, combining "thorn" (emphasizing the sharpness of the bill) and "bill" (referring to the beak). This is a common naming convention in ornithology.
• In scientific classification, can be part of a common name for specific genera, such as .

Variants and Related Words

• Hummingbird (n): The broader family of birds to which all thornbills belong. All thornbills are hummingbirds, but not all hummingbirds are thornbills.
• Bill (n): The beak of a bird. The defining feature of the thornbill.

Synonyms

• Hummingbird (general category)
• There are no direct single-word synonyms, as "thornbill" names a specific subgroup. Descriptive phrases like "sharp-billed hummingbird" could be used.

Antonyms

• There is no direct antonym. One could contrast it with birds having very different beak shapes, such as:
  • Spoonbill (a bird with a broad, flat-tipped bill)
  • Crossbill (a bird with crossed mandible tips)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using "thornbill." It is a technical zoological term.

Noun

1. any of various South American hummingbirds with a sharp pointed bill