antbird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (Specialized)Formal / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “antbird” mean?
A passerine bird of the family Thamnophilidae, native to tropical Central and South America, known for feeding on ants and other insects flushed by army ant swarms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A passerine bird of the family Thamnophilidae, native to tropical Central and South America, known for feeding on ants and other insects flushed by army ant swarms.
Refers to any of numerous species within the antbird family, characterized by their dull plumage (often shades of grey, brown, black, or white), strong legs, and insectivorous diet. Many species follow ant swarms to catch fleeing insects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage, as the term is specialized. The bird family is not native to either region.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist texts, wildlife documentaries, and birdwatching circles.
Grammar
How to Use “antbird” in a Sentence
The [species] antbird [verb, e.g., follows, feeds, nests].Antbirds are [adjective, e.g., common, elusive, insectivorous].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antbird” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- antbird ecology
- antbird research
American English
- antbird behavior
- antbird study
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and zoology papers.
Everyday
Rare, except among birdwatchers or in nature documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in ornithology for species in Thamnophilidae.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antbird”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antbird”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antbird”
- Writing as two words ('ant bird').
- Confusing with 'antthrush' or 'antpitta', which are different bird families.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are not related to woodpeckers. Antbirds are perching birds (passerines) in their own family, Thamnophilidae.
Typically not. They primarily eat the insects, spiders, and other arthropods that are flushed out by the marching ant swarm. Some species may occasionally eat the ants.
You need to travel to the tropical forests of Central or South America, such as the Amazon basin. They are not found in the wild in North America, Europe, Africa, or Asia.
It's the scientific family name, from Greek 'thamnos' (shrub) and 'philos' (loving), meaning 'shrub-lover', referring to their typical understorey habitat.
A passerine bird of the family Thamnophilidae, native to tropical Central and South America, known for feeding on ants and other insects flushed by army ant swarms.
Antbird is usually formal / scientific in register.
Antbird: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæntbɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæntbɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bird that's an ANT expert – an ANT-BIRD. It doesn't look like an ant, it eats ants (and the insects they scare up).
Conceptual Metaphor
A FEATHERED PREDATOR OF THE FOREST FLOOR.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary dietary specialization of antbirds?