Zaunkönig
Eurasian wren
noun TSOWN-koe-nikh Rare
Origin: literally 'fence king', from a folk tale in which the wren won a height contest by hiding on the eagle's back
Usage Note
Zaunkönig (Troglodytes troglodytes) is Germany's smallest breeding bird with a disproportionately loud song. The folk tale behind its name — in which it outsmarted the eagle — is widely known. Plural: die Zaunkönige.
Examples
"Der winzige Zaunkönig hat einen erstaunlich lauten Gesang für seine Größe."
Natural Translation
The tiny wren has an astonishingly loud song for its size.
Literal Translation
The tiny wren has an astonishingly loud song for its size.
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