pair of swallow-tanagers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pair of swallow-tanagers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to two birds of the swallow-tanager species, typically in a context related to ornithology or birdwatching. Example: "During our hike, we spotted a pair of swallow-tanagers flitting between the trees, their vibrant colors catching the sunlight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A pair of swallow-tanagers arrive first.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Animals morph into more unaccustomed creatures; children drink poison and descend to the netherworld; a pair of swallowed birds preen in the stomach of a smug cat.

The New York Times - Arts

The swallow-tanagers give way to parrotlets: three lime green droplets whirling above the canopy.

The New York Times

Swallow-tanagers catch insects on the wing and also eat large fruits, ejecting the seeds and filling their throat pouches with the pulp.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A population of over 80 pairs of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) breeds in nest boxes around brackish and freshwater ponds on this property.

Plosone

The swallow-tanager is of another subfamily entirely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Swallow-tanager, (Tersina viridis), bird of northern South America, the sole member of the subfamily Tersininae, family Emberizidae; some authors give it family rank (Tersinidae).

Encyclopedia Britannica

See also bananaquit; honeycreeper; swallow-tanager; tanager; towhee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Frugivorous: variable but usually rather wide; ranges from lightly built with a wide gape for swallowing whole fruits (found in some cotingas, and in the swallow-tanager, Tersina) to more heavily built for tearing apart tougher fruits (some tanagers).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In an appearance on Jimmy Fallon's "Tonight Show," he wore a vintage Gucci T-shirt and a pair of tapered Pepto-pink sweatpants, swallowed at the cuffs by a pair of thick tube socks.

The New Yorker

Darren Powell, a supervisor at the Manus Island processing centre in Papua New Guinea, posted on his public Facebook profile: "One of these jokers just swallowed a pair of nail clippers.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing bird sightings in ecological reports, use "pair of swallow-tanagers" to precisely indicate two individuals, especially when differentiating from solitary birds or larger flocks.

Common error

Avoid using "pair of swallow-tanagers" if the birds are another similar species. Always confirm identification using field marks, geographic location, or expert consultation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pair of swallow-tanagers" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific quantity (two) of a particular bird species, the swallow-tanager, in a given context. Ludwig shows this phrase being used to describe observations of these birds in their natural habitat.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pair of swallow-tanagers" accurately describes two swallow-tanagers. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in ornithological contexts. While its frequency is rare, it's primarily found in news media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure correct species identification and consider that "pair" suggests a mated or bonded relationship. For alternatives, you might consider "swallow-tanager couple" or "two swallow-tanagers" depending on your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Swallow-tanager couple

Replaces "pair" with "couple", maintaining the meaning of two birds together.

Two swallow-tanagers

Specifies the number of swallow-tanagers directly.

A male and female swallow-tanager

Focuses on the gender composition of the pair.

Swallow-tanagers in pairs

Highlights the pairing behavior of the species.

A brace of swallow-tanagers

Uses "brace", an archaic term for a pair of birds.

Matching swallow-tanagers

Emphasizes the visual similarity within the pair.

A mating pair of swallow-tanagers

Specifies the reproductive status of the pair.

Observed swallow-tanagers

Shifts the focus to the act of observing the birds.

A duo of swallow-tanagers

Uses "duo" as a synonym for "pair".

Swallow-tanager mates

Highlights the relationship between the two birds.

FAQs

How can I properly use "pair of swallow-tanagers" in a sentence?

Use "pair of swallow-tanagers" to denote two swallow-tanagers together, such as "We observed a "pair of swallow-tanagers" nesting in the tree hollow".

What is the difference between "couple of swallow-tanagers" and "pair of swallow-tanagers"?

While both terms refer to two swallow-tanagers, "pair" specifically implies a mated or bonded relationship, whereas "couple of swallow-tanagers" is more general.

What's a good synonym for "pair" when talking about swallow-tanagers?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "duo of swallow-tanagers" or "brace of swallow-tanagers" (though "brace" is somewhat archaic).

Is it correct to say "a pair of swallow tanagers" (without the hyphen)?

While understandable, it's more accurate and common to use "pair of swallow-tanagers" (with the hyphen) to clearly denote that "swallow-tanager" is a single compound noun referring to a specific bird species.