Fellfare

/ˈfɛlˌfɛər/ noun

Definition

A type of thrush bird (Turdus iliacus) that migrates to northern Europe in winter, characterized by spotted breast and blue-gray back.

Etymology

From Old English, combining fell (meaning mountain or upland) and fare (journey or trip), literally 'mountain wanderer,' as these birds migrate down from high regions in winter.

Kelly Says

Fellfare is a word where English perfectly captures the bird's behavior in its name—medieval speakers who named it understood it as a traveler from the fells, a observation modern ornithology still validates.

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