Icteridae
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Definition
Noun: 1. A family of passerine birds: Icteridae is the scientific family name for a group of New World songbirds. This family includes birds commonly known as orioles, blackbirds, grackles, cowbirds, bobolinks, and meadowlarks.
Usage Notes
- The word "Icteridae" is primarily used in formal, scientific, ornithological, and academic contexts. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
- It is always capitalized, as it is a proper noun referring to a taxonomic family.
- In standard English, the common names of the birds within this family (e.g., oriole, blackbird) are used instead.
Examples
- Scientific Context:
- The Icteridae family exhibits a wide range of foraging behaviors and vocalizations.
- Ornithologists classified the bird as a member of Icteridae based on its skeletal structure and plumage patterns.
- General Context (less common):
- The meadowlark and the bobolink both belong to the family Icteridae.
Advanced Usage
- Taxonomic Hierarchy: The term is used to specify a precise level of biological classification (Family: Icteridae), which sits below Order (Passeriformes) and above Genus (e.g., for orioles).
Variants and Related Words
- Icterid (noun): A common shortening used by birdwatchers and biologists to refer to any member of the Icteridae family.
- Several icterids, including red-winged blackbirds, were feeding in the marsh.
Synonyms
- New World blackbirds (This is a broad common name for the family, though it can be misleading as not all members are black).
- American blackbird family (A descriptive synonym).
Different Meanings
- There are no other common meanings for "Icteridae" in English. It refers exclusively to this biological family of birds.
Noun
- American orioles; American blackbirds; bobolinks; meadowlarks