Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bird belonging to the order Cuculiformes: A "cuculiform bird" is a member of the avian order Cuculiformes. The primary defining characteristic of these birds is their zygodactyl feet, where two toes point forward and two point backward. This order traditionally includes birds like cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis, but excludes turacos (which are now often placed in a separate order, Musophagidae).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The cuckoo is a well-known example of a cuculiform bird.
  • Ornithologists study the migratory patterns of various cuculiform birds.
  • The zygodactyl feet of a cuculiform bird are an adaptation for perching and climbing.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Classification: The term is primarily used in scientific, ornithological, and taxonomic contexts to categorize and discuss birds within this specific order.
  • The research paper focused on the evolutionary history of cuculiform birds.

Variants and Related Words

• Cuculiform (adj): Of or relating to the order Cuculiformes.
  • The exhibit displayed several cuculiform species.
• Cuculidae (n): The family within Cuculiformes that includes cuckoos, roadrunners, and anis.
  • Most birds in the family Cuculidae are indeed cuculiform birds.

Synonyms

• Cuckoo-order bird (informal/scientific): A less formal way to refer to these birds, though "cuculiform bird" is the precise taxonomic term.

Related Phrases

(This term is a specific scientific classification and does not have common phrasal verbs or idioms associated with it in everyday language.)

Related Idioms

(This term is a specific scientific classification and does not have common idioms associated with it in everyday language.)

Noun

1. birds having zygodactyl feet (except for the touracos)