dollarbird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Ornithological
Quick answer
What does “dollarbird” mean?
A medium-sized bird native to Australasia and Southeast Asia, with distinctive coin-like spots on its wings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized bird native to Australasia and Southeast Asia, with distinctive coin-like spots on its wings.
Common name for the species Eurystomus orientalis, also known as the Oriental dollarbird, belonging to the roller family, characterized by its blue-green plumage and silver-dollar shaped wing patches visible in flight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; term is equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral ornithological term in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; appears almost exclusively in birding guides and regional natural history texts.
Grammar
How to Use “dollarbird” in a Sentence
The dollarbird [verb: nests/migrates/feeds] in [location].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in ornithology papers and biological studies of Australasian bird species.
Everyday
Rarely used outside birdwatching communities in Australia and Southeast Asia.
Technical
Standard term in field guides and taxonomic references for the species Eurystomus orientalis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dollarbird”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dollarbird”
- Spelling as two words: 'dollar bird' (should be one word or hyphenated).
- Confusing with other roller species.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is native to Australasia and Southeast Asia.
Because of the silvery, circular patches on its wings that resemble old silver dollars.
No, it is exclusively a noun referring to the bird species.
No, it is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
A medium-sized bird native to Australasia and Southeast Asia, with distinctive coin-like spots on its wings.
Dollarbird is usually technical/ornithological in register.
Dollarbird: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɒləbɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɑːlərbɜːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird flying with silver coins (dollars) on its wings.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS NATURE (the bird's markings metaphorically represent currency).
Practice
Quiz
What family does the dollarbird belong to?