seedeater: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Ornithological
Quick answer
What does “seedeater” mean?
A bird that primarily eats seeds.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bird that primarily eats seeds.
A common name for various small passerine birds, especially finches and sparrows, whose diet consists mainly of seeds. In ornithology, it can refer specifically to birds in the genus Sporophila.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used identically in both varieties within technical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral, descriptive term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, confined to birdwatching and scientific texts.
Grammar
How to Use “seedeater” in a Sentence
The [bird name] is a seedeater.We observed a seedeater [verb-ing].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seedeater” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The seedeater finch population is stable.
- We studied seedeater behaviour.
American English
- The seedeater finch population is stable.
- We studied seedeater behavior.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biological and ecological texts to describe a feeding niche.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of birdwatching contexts.
Technical
Standard term in ornithology and field guides.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seedeater”
- Misspelling as 'seed eater' (two words) is common, though the closed compound 'seedeater' is standard in technical usage.
- Using it as a general term for any animal that eats seeds (e.g., a rodent); it is strongly associated with birds.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In standard ornithological usage, it is one word: 'seedeater'. The hyphenated form 'seed-eater' is also sometimes seen.
No, it is exclusively a term for birds (and occasionally other animals in very technical contexts), not for humans.
'Granivore' is a broader, more scientific term for any seed-eating organism. 'Seedeater' is a common name specifically for certain birds.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialist term. Most general English speakers would use the specific bird name (e.g., 'finch') instead.
A bird that primarily eats seeds.
Seedeater is usually technical/ornithological in register.
Seedeater: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiːdˌiːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsidˌiːt̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bird at a feeder: it SEES the SEED and EATS it – SEEDEATER.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly specific literal term).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'seedeater' most appropriately used?