cape pigeon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical, Zoological, Regional
Quick answer
What does “cape pigeon” mean?
A seabird of the petrel family (specifically Daption capense), predominantly found in southern oceans.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A seabird of the petrel family (specifically Daption capense), predominantly found in southern oceans.
Refers specifically to a species of fulmar petrel characterized by striking black and white mottled plumage. Also known as the Cape petrel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more likely to be used in British English sources, given the historic maritime and ornithological focus of British naturalists in the southern oceans. American English is more likely to default to 'Cape petrel'.
Connotations
In British maritime tradition, evokes the experience of sailors encountering birds in the Southern Ocean. In American English, carries a slightly more formal, zoological connotation.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse. Higher relative frequency in British and Commonwealth (e.g., South African, New Zealand) natural history writing.
Grammar
How to Use “cape pigeon” in a Sentence
The cape pigeon (verb) ...A cape pigeon (adverb)...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in ornithological papers, marine biology texts, and environmental studies of the Southern Ocean.
Everyday
Almost never used in everyday conversation outside of specific maritime or birdwatching contexts.
Technical
Common in field guides, scientific catalogues, and maritime logbooks referring to seabirds of the southern hemisphere.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cape pigeon”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cape pigeon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cape pigeon”
- Confusing it with the common pigeon.
- Spelling as 'cape pidgin'.
- Using it as a general term for any seabird.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a misnomer. It is a species of petrel, a completely different family of seabirds.
Primarily in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
Early sailors named many seabirds 'pigeons' due to their general size and shape, not biological relation.
It is acceptable as a common name, but the scientific name Daption capense or the term 'Cape petrel' is preferred for precision.
A seabird of the petrel family (specifically Daption capense), predominantly found in southern oceans.
Cape pigeon is usually technical, zoological, regional in register.
Cape pigeon: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkeɪp ˈpɪdʒ.ɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkeɪp ˈpɪdʒ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A bird that wears a 'cape' of mottled feathers, 'pigeon'-sized, found near the Cape of Good Hope.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often described metaphorically as 'checkered', 'speckled', or 'pied'.
Practice
Quiz
What is another name for the cape pigeon?