windhover

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English

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The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) or windhover is so called because of the way it flies

Etymology

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From wind +‎ hover, due to the bird’s habit of hovering by beating the wind with its wings; compare the earlier word windfucker.[1]

Noun

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windhover (plural windhovers)

  1. (British) The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). [from 1674]

Synonyms

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Translations

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References

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  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “windhover”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Further reading

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