short-tailed shearwater: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical/Biological
Quick answer
What does “short-tailed shearwater” mean?
A specific species of medium-sized seabird native to Australasia, with dark plumage, known for its long migrations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific species of medium-sized seabird native to Australasia, with dark plumage, known for its long migrations.
A migratory seabird (Puffinus tenuirostris) that nests in burrows in southeastern Australia, known for its annual migration to the North Pacific; also called a muttonbird, particularly when harvested as a traditional food source.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both dialects use the scientific term identically. 'Muttonbird' is the common alternative, more prevalent in Australian/NZ English (British-influenced). American English speakers are less likely to be familiar with either term unless in a specialist context.
Connotations
For Australians, 'muttonbird' can carry cultural and culinary connotations related to traditional Indigenous and colonial harvesting. For Britons and Americans, the term 'short-tailed shearwater' is purely ornithological.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general use in both dialects, appearing almost exclusively in specialist texts about birds, ecology, or Australasian culture.
Grammar
How to Use “short-tailed shearwater” in a Sentence
The [NOUN: short-tailed shearwater] [VERB: migrates] from [LOCATION].Scientists [VERB: observed] the [NOUN: short-tailed shearwater].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “short-tailed shearwater” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [N/A – 'shearwater' is not a verb.]
American English
- [N/A – 'shearwater' is not a verb.]
adverb
British English
- [N/A – 'short-tailed shearwater' is not used as an adverb.]
American English
- [N/A – 'short-tailed shearwater' is not used as an adverb.]
adjective
British English
- The short-tailed shearwater colony was monitored.
- A short-tailed shearwater survey is underway.
American English
- The short-tailed shearwater population is declining.
- We studied short-tailed shearwater migration routes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and environmental science papers to refer to the specific species, its migration patterns, or conservation status.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of specific coastal communities in Australia/Tasmania.
Technical
Core term in ornithology, wildlife management, and conservation biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “short-tailed shearwater”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “short-tailed shearwater”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “short-tailed shearwater”
- Mis-spelling as 'short-tail shearwater' (missing the '-ed').
- Confusing it with other shearwater species (e.g., sooty shearwater).
- Incorrect pronunciation of 'shearwater' as 'sheer-water' instead of 'SHEER-water'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'muttonbird' is the common name used primarily in Australia and New Zealand for several species of shearwater, most notably the short-tailed shearwater, especially in the context of their traditional harvesting.
They nest in burrows on islands off southern Australia, especially Tasmania. During their migration, they can be seen off the coasts of Japan, Alaska, and the western United States.
The name comes from the bird's flight style, skimming ('shearing') very close to the surface of the water.
While still numerous, they face threats from climate change, plastic pollution, and habitat loss. They are considered a species of conservation concern in some regions.
A specific species of medium-sized seabird native to Australasia, with dark plumage, known for its long migrations.
Short-tailed shearwater is usually technical/biological in register.
Short-tailed shearwater: in British English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːtˌteɪld ˈʃɪə.wɔː.tə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌʃɔːrtˌteɪld ˈʃɪr.wɔː.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms exist for this specific bird species.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bird with a SHORT TAIL that SHEARS the water (skims the waves) as it flies. It's a SHEARWATER with a notably short tail.
Conceptual Metaphor
[N/A for highly specific biological terms. It is not commonly used metaphorically.]
Practice
Quiz
What is another common name for the short-tailed shearwater in Australia?