wheatear

Meaning

1. Any of various passerine birds of the genus Oenanthe that feed on insects,
2. Any of various passerine birds of the genus Oenanthe that feed on insects,

Synonyms

northern wheatear

Northern wheatear

Translations

Steinschmätzer

culbianco

traquet motteux

tapuit

collalba gris

traquet

cul-blanc

collalba

còlit gris

chasco

στάχυ

chasco-cinzento

kuyrukkakan

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʍiːtɪəɹ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: whete-ere

In summary

Uncertain. Probably a back-formation from Middle English whit ers (“white arse”), after the prominent white rump of many species. Compare dialect forms white rump, white-tail. Possibly a compound of wheat + ear or white + ear. Attested since the seventeenth century as wheat-ears or wheatgear.