ant-thrush: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Scientific (Ornithology)
Quick answer
What does “ant-thrush” mean?
A bird of the family Formicariidae, native to tropical America, that feeds on ants and other insects.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bird of the family Formicariidae, native to tropical America, that feeds on ants and other insects.
A term historically used for some Old World birds (like the ant-thrushes of Australia and the pittas of Asia) that also feed on ants, but which are not closely related to the true ant-thrushes of the Neotropics. In ornithological contexts, it refers specifically to ground-dwelling, insectivorous birds with strong legs and short tails.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in meaning or usage, as it is a technical term. Both British and American ornithologists use the term.
Connotations
Purely scientific/ornithological; no cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, confined to birdwatching and academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “ant-thrush” in a Sentence
The [adjective] ant-thrush [verb] in the undergrowth.An ant-thrush is a type of [habitat] bird.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ant-thrush” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The birdwatchers hoped to ant-thrush in the Amazon basin. (Note: 'ant-thrush' is not used as a verb; this is a non-standard, illustrative example of potential confusion.)
American English
- (No standard verb use.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverb use.)
American English
- (No adverb use.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective use. 'Ant-thrush behaviour' is a noun-noun compound.)
American English
- (No standard adjective use.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and ecology papers to refer to specific bird species.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Used in field guides, species classifications, and birding discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ant-thrush”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ant-thrush”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ant-thrush”
- Confusing it with the common 'thrush' bird of gardens and parks. Using it as a general term for any bird that eats ants. Misspelling as 'antthrush' or 'ant thrush' (though the latter is sometimes accepted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, despite the name, true ant-thrushes (Formicariidae) are not closely related to thrushes (Turdidae). The name comes from a superficial resemblance in size and shape.
You would need to travel to tropical Central or South America and go birdwatching in dense, humid forests, often near the ground.
As the name suggests, its diet consists mainly of ants and other insects, which it finds by scratching in the leaf litter.
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively by ornithologists, birdwatchers, and in related scientific contexts.
A bird of the family Formicariidae, native to tropical America, that feeds on ants and other insects.
Ant-thrush is usually technical / scientific (ornithology) in register.
Ant-thrush: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæntˌθrʌʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæntˌθrʌʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a THRUSH (a type of bird) that hunts ANTS on the forest floor = ANT-THRUSH.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this technical term.
Practice
Quiz
What is an 'ant-thrush' primarily?