softbilled

Definitions

Of birds, preferring to feed on relatively soft foods, such as insects or fruits.

not-comparable

Examples

“Most of the softbilled birds feed⟳ on insects, and not on grain or seeds, and therefore usually retire⟳ before winter; but the following, though they eat⟳ insects, remain⟳ with us during the whole year […]”

“For softbilled British and foreign birds a liberal supply⟳ of ripe, juicy fruits and berries, such as cherries, strawberries, raspberries, or currants, may be very usefully employed, in addition to an increased supply⟳ of natural insects, caterpillars, larvæ, and the thousand and one other forms of insect life which are now so abundant everywhere.”

“These birds can be kept very well in a well-planted aviary on the standard softbilled diet, with the addition of raw minced meat, 12 mealworms daily, and if possible other kinds of live⟳ insects.”

“Like⟳ all softbilled insect and fruit eaters, if kept in a cage, the bottom of the cage should be lined with blotting or newspaper rather than sand, to absorb the damp droppings.”

CEFR level