pin-tailed

[ pin-teyld ]

adjective

, Ornithology.

1. having a tapered tail with long, pointed central feathers.
2. having the feathers of the tail stiff, narrow, and pointed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pin-tailed¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Native reptiles and birds, including the Be’er Sheva fringe-fingered lizard, the pin-tailed sandgrouse and the spectacled warbler, are now fall easy prey for crows and jays perched in the tree branches.

From Salon

The pin-tailed whydah is a spectacular little bird.

From New York Times

People buy pin-tailed whydahs as pets.

From New York Times

The pin-tailed whydah is one out of only about 100 parasites of the 10,000 bird species in the world.

From New York Times

During the mating season, a male pin-tailed whydah grows a plume of black feathers twice as long as his body.

From New York Times