Cirl

/sɜːrl/ noun

Definition

A small European songbird with a greenish-yellow plumage and a distinctive song, also called the cirl bunting.

Etymology

From Old English or Germanic origins, with the name being imitative or onomatopoetic in nature, possibly imitating the bird's distinctive call or song pattern.

Kelly Says

The cirl bunting's scientific name is Emberiza cirlus, and birdwatchers love it because its song sounds like 'chip-chip-chip-churrrr'—the name 'cirl' might actually come from trying to spell out what the bird sounds like!

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