whitethroat

American  

[hwahyt-throht, wahyt-] / ˈʰwaɪtˌθroʊt, ˈwaɪt- /

noun

1. any of several small songbirds having a throat that is white, especially an Old World warbler, Sylvia communis.

2. white-throated sparrow.

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whitethroat British  

/ ˈwaɪtˌθrəʊt /

noun

1. either of two Old World warblers, Sylvia communis or S. curruca ( lesser whitethroat ), having a greyish-brown plumage with a white throat and underparts

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Etymology

Origin of whitethroat

First recorded in 1670–80; white + throat

Example Sentences

The song of the redstart is superior, though somewhat like that of the whitethroat; some birds have a few more notes than others. 

From The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1 by Morley, Henry

A whitethroat was catching insects in the garden on May 6.

From Field and Hedgerow Being the Last Essays of Richard Jefferies by Jefferies, Richard

Peggy, peg′i, n. one of several small warblers, the whitethroat, &c.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

The green caterpillar swings as he spins his thread and lengthens his cable to the tide of air, descending from the tree; before he can slip it the whitethroat takes him.

From Field and Hedgerow Being the Last Essays of Richard Jefferies by Jefferies, Richard

The thicker the undergrowth of nettles and wild parsley, rushes and rough grasses, the more the whitethroat likes the spot.

From The Hills and the Vale by Jefferies, Richard