ricebird: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Regional, Technical (Agriculture/Ornithology)
Quick answer
What does “ricebird” mean?
A small bird that feeds on rice grains in agricultural fields.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small bird that feeds on rice grains in agricultural fields.
The term can refer to several different species of small birds, particularly weaverbirds, sparrows, or bobolinks, known for feeding on ripe rice crops. It is often considered a pest in rice-growing regions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, specifically in the southern US (e.g., for the Bobolink). In British English, it is a rare term, mostly encountered in colonial or historical texts about Asia/Africa.
Connotations
In the US, it often implies a pest bird. In the UK, it may carry more exotic or historical connotations.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, but higher in specific American agricultural communities.
Grammar
How to Use “ricebird” in a Sentence
The ricebirds [verb: devoured, destroyed, attacked] the crop.Farmers [verb: deter, scare, trap] ricebirds.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ricebird” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fields were heavily ricebirded last season.
- We need to prevent the crop from being ricebirded.
American English
- The south field got totally ricebirded.
- They're worried about the new plot getting ricebirded.
adjective
British English
- The ricebird damage was extensive.
- We observed ricebird activity at dawn.
American English
- We have a major ricebird problem.
- They set up ricebird scarecrows.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in agricultural loss assessments or pest control contracts.
Academic
Used in ornithology, agriculture, and environmental studies papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Used mainly by farmers in rice-growing regions.
Technical
Used in agricultural extension documents and pest management guides.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ricebird”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ricebird”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ricebird”
- Using 'ricebird' as a general term for any small bird.
- Capitalising it as a proper name (unless referring to a specific species like the Ricebird/Bobolink).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a general term for various small birds that feed on rice. The specific bird it refers to depends on the region (e.g., Bobolink in the US, Java Sparrow in Asia).
No, it has very low frequency. It is a specialised term used primarily by farmers, agriculturists, and ornithologists in rice-growing areas.
In formal academic or technical writing related to agriculture, yes. In general formal writing, it is better to use the specific species name (e.g., 'Bobolinks') or a more general description like 'rice-eating birds'.
They are considered agricultural pests because flocks can consume or damage significant portions of a rice crop, leading to economic losses for farmers.
A small bird that feeds on rice grains in agricultural fields.
Ricebird: in British English it is pronounced /ˈraɪsˌbɜːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈraɪsˌbɝːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None established.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bird that eats RICE for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Conceptual Metaphor
RICEBIRD AS A THIEF: The bird is metaphorically seen as stealing the harvest.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'ricebird' MOST likely to be used?