cuckoo-shrike: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Ornithological
Quick answer
What does “cuckoo-shrike” mean?
A songbird of the family Campephagidae, found primarily in Africa, Asia, and Australasia, resembling a cuckoo in some features but unrelated.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A songbird of the family Campephagidae, found primarily in Africa, Asia, and Australasia, resembling a cuckoo in some features but unrelated.
A common name applied to various birds of the genus Coracina and related genera, known for their hooked bills, often-grey plumage, and insectivorous habits.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties; it is a specialist ornithological term.
Connotations
No significant cultural connotations. Purely descriptive of a bird group.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse. Used almost exclusively by birdwatchers, ornithologists, and in field guides.
Grammar
How to Use “cuckoo-shrike” in a Sentence
The [species descriptor] cuckoo-shrike [verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in zoology/ornithology papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in field guides and scientific classifications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cuckoo-shrike”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cuckoo-shrike”
- Writing it as one word ('cuckooshrike') or two unhyphenated words.
- Assuming it is a type of cuckoo.
- Pronouncing 'shrike' to rhyme with 'bike' instead of 'shrike' rhyming with 'strike'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a member of the family Campephagidae. The name refers to a superficial resemblance in appearance or behaviour to cuckoos and shrikes.
They are found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia.
They are primarily insectivorous, feeding on caterpillars, beetles, and other insects.
In standard ornithological writing, the hyphen is retained as it is a compound noun denoting a single concept.
A songbird of the family Campephagidae, found primarily in Africa, Asia, and Australasia, resembling a cuckoo in some features but unrelated.
Cuckoo-shrike is usually technical/ornithological in register.
Cuckoo-shrike: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʊkuː ˌʃraɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʊku ˌʃraɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"Cuckoo-Shrike" sounds like a made-up bird name. Remember: It's a real bird that looks a bit like a cuckoo and acts a bit like a shrike.
Conceptual Metaphor
NA
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'cuckoo-shrike'?