Cedarbirds

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of small bird known for its association with cedar trees, often seen feeding on fruits and seeds in woodland areas
2. A bird species recognized for inhabiting cedar forests and known for its distinctive calls and lively behavior
3. Small avian creatures that typically dwell in cedar-rich environments, frequently foraging on berries and insects

Etymology: The plural of "cedarbird" is "cedarbirds," and the singular is simply a compound of "cedar" and "bird." The cedar in question is the tree, so the name points to a bird that favours cedar trees. The common cedarbird, now usually called the cedar waxwing, is the North American species that gives the name its most familiar sense. Both parts of the word are old English stock. "Cedar" traces back through Latin "cedrus" and Greek "kedros" to a tree of the eastern Mediterranean, while "bird" is a native Old English word. Joining the two in the bird's name follows an ordinary pattern: a bird named for the plant it is most associated with, much like other tree-named birds.

Synonyms: cedar waxwing