yellow-bellied sapsucker

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Word: Yellow-bellied sapsucker

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: The yellow-bellied sapsucker is a type of bird found in eastern North America. It has a pale yellow belly and is known for drilling holes in trees to drink the sap inside.

Explanation:

• "Yellow-bellied" refers to the bird's yellow-colored belly.
• "Sapsucker" describes its behavior of sucking sap from trees.

Usage Instructions:

• You would use "yellow-bellied sapsucker" when talking about this specific bird or discussing birds in general.

Example Sentence:

"I saw a yellow-bellied sapsucker pecking at a tree in the park."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might see the term used in ornithology (the study of birds) or ecology, focusing on its role in the ecosystem.

Word Variants:

• Sapsucker (general term for birds that feed on tree sap).
• There are other types of sapsuckers, but the "yellow-bellied" specifies this particular species.

Different Meanings:

While "yellow-bellied sapsucker" refers specifically to the bird, "yellow-bellied" can also describe a person as cowardly in informal contexts.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "yellow-bellied sapsucker," but you might refer to it as simply a "sapsucker" when the context is clear.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Yellow-bellied" can be used as an idiom to describe someone as timid or afraid. For example, you might say, "Don't be so yellow-bellied; just go ask her out!"

Summary:

The term "yellow-bellied sapsucker" refers to a specific bird known for its yellow abdomen and its unique behavior of tapping trees for sap.

Academic

Noun

1. eastern North American sapsucker having a pale yellow abdomen

Synonyms

• sphyrapicus varius