Definition

Noun: * Genus Ceryle: A taxonomic genus within the family Alcedinidae, consisting of pied kingfishers. These are birds characterized by their black and white plumage and their distinctive hunting behavior of hovering over water before diving for fish.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The biologist classified the bird under genus Ceryle based on its morphological traits.
  • Ornithologists study the feeding habits of species within genus Ceryle.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific literature, the genus name is always italicized. When used in a non-taxonomic context to refer to the birds generally, it may not be italicized.
  • The paper focused on the evolutionary history of Ceryle.
• The genus is often discussed in contrast to other kingfisher genera (e.g., , ) within the family Alcedinidae.

Variants and Related Words

• Ceryle (n): The abbreviated form of the genus name, used interchangeably in scientific contexts.
• Alcedinidae (n): The bird family (kingfishers) to which this genus belongs.
• Kingfisher (n): The common name for birds in the family Alcedinidae.

Synonyms

• Pied kingfishers (common name): This is the vernacular name for the birds comprising this genus.

Different Meanings

This term has a single, specific meaning in biological taxonomy. It does not have general English definitions outside of scientific classification.

Noun

1. a genus of birds of the family Alcedinidae