Definition

A large, nocturnal bird found in Central and South America that primarily eats fruit and is known for its ability to produce oil from its young.

Example

The oilbird is famous for its unique diet and the oil extracted from its young.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the oilbird?

Yeah, I read about them recently; they're quite interesting!

I found it fascinating that they live in caves and eat fatty fruits.

Right? And those young birds are used to extract oil for cooking!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'oilbird' is formed from 'oil' (from Old English *æle*, meaning a fatty liquid) and 'bird' (from Old English *bridde*, meaning a small flying creature). The term 'oilbird' refers to a bird known for its oily flesh, which is a unique characteristic of this species.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'fatty liquid' ('oil') that describes the bird's unique flesh, combined with 'bird' which simply means a flying creature. This helps you remember that an oilbird is a bird known for its oily flesh.

Visually Confused Words