fig-bird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Regional
Quick answer
What does “fig-bird” mean?
A medium-sized bird of the oriole family, primarily found in Australia and New Guinea, known for feeding on figs and other soft fruits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized bird of the oriole family, primarily found in Australia and New Guinea, known for feeding on figs and other soft fruits.
A bird of the genus Sphecotheres, characterised by its fruit-eating habits and often colourful plumage in males.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is virtually unknown in general British or American English. It is a specialist/regional term from Australasia.
Connotations
No distinct connotations in either variety due to obscurity. In Australian context, it is a neutral zoological term.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency globally. Moderately known in Australian birdwatching and ornithological circles.
Grammar
How to Use “fig-bird” in a Sentence
The [adjective] fig-bird [verb].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in ornithological papers and field guides discussing Australasian avifauna.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of Australia/PNG.
Technical
Used as a specific taxon name in zoological classification and birding guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fig-bird”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “fig-bird”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fig-bird”
- Using it as a general term for any bird seen near a fig tree.
- Capitalising it incorrectly (it is not a proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, fig-birds are native to Australia, New Guinea, and eastern Indonesia.
No, it is the specific common name for birds of the genus Sphecotheres, not a descriptive term.
Both 'figbird' and 'fig-bird' are accepted, though ornithological texts often use the hyphenated form.
As the name suggests, figs are a major part of their diet, but they also eat other soft fruits and berries.
A medium-sized bird of the oriole family, primarily found in Australia and New Guinea, known for feeding on figs and other soft fruits.
Fig-bird is usually technical / regional in register.
Fig-bird: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɪɡ ˌbɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɪɡ ˌbɜːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FIGures show the BIRD eats figs.'
Practice
Quiz
What is a fig-bird?