Welcome back, fellow word enthusiasts! There’s nothing quite like the satisfying
click
when a tricky
crossword clue
finally reveals its secret. Today, we’re diving into one of those delightfully descriptive challenges that paints a vivid picture right there on the page: “Colourful tropical bird (8)“.
This particular
crossword clue
immediately transports you to a world of vibrant hues and lush landscapes. It’s a classic definition clue, which means your task is to identify a single, specific creature that fits both descriptors perfectly, all while ensuring it slots neatly into an eight-letter space.
The first descriptor, “colourful,” is paramount. When you think of tropical birds, what comes to mind? Often, it’s a dazzling array of pigments: brilliant blues, fiery reds, sun-kissed yellows, and emerald greens. These aren’t your typical garden sparrows. We’re talking about species where every feather seems to have been dipped in a painter’s palette, often evolving such striking appearances for camouflage amidst equally vibrant foliage, or for elaborate courtship displays that make them stand out to potential mates. The sheer diversity in coloration among these avian wonders is astounding, making “colourful” a wonderfully broad, yet highly evocative, hint.
Then there’s the “tropical” aspect. This narrows our focus considerably, guiding our thoughts to regions near the equator – the rainforests of the Amazon, the jungles of Southeast Asia, the dense forests of Africa. These are environments teeming with life, characterized by high temperatures, abundant rainfall, and incredibly rich biodiversity. A bird described as tropical isn’t just one that happens to live somewhere warm; it’s a species that has evolved specific adaptations to thrive in these unique, often challenging, ecosystems. Their calls might echo through dense canopies, their diets might consist of exotic fruits or insects, and their nesting habits are often intimately tied to the unique flora of their habitat.
When approaching this kind of
crossword clue
, a common strategy is to list out famous or iconic birds that fit the general description. Think of any eight-letter word that comes to mind when you picture an exotic, brightly plumed bird. This isn’t always as straightforward as it seems; many well-known species have names of different lengths. The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in how it prompts you to access your general knowledge and then apply a specific filter – in this case, the eight-letter constraint.
Every time you encounter a
crossword clue
like this, it’s an opportunity to learn something new or reinforce existing knowledge. It encourages you to explore the fascinating world of ornithology, even if just for a fleeting moment. It’s about making connections between description and name, a core skill for any dedicated puzzle solver. This clue doesn’t rely on wordplay or anagrams; it’s a direct challenge to your vocabulary and your recall of the natural world.
So, take a moment. Picture that colourful tropical bird. What eight-letter name springs to mind? The satisfaction of cracking this type of
crossword clue
is truly unmatched. Keep pondering, and you’ll surely alight upon the answer!
Available Answers:
PARAKEET.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Wednesday, 11 June 2025