Definition

1. Noun:
   • A taxonomic term in ornithology: "order Picariae" is a term used in some biological classification systems to group together certain bird families. It is noted as being nearly equivalent to the order Coraciiformes, which includes birds like kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, and hornbills.

Usage Notes

• The term "order Picariae" is primarily used in historical or specialized scientific contexts related to bird taxonomy. It is not a term found in everyday language.
• In modern ornithological classification, the grouping "Coraciiformes" is more standard and widely accepted. "Order Picariae" may appear in older literature or in specific taxonomic frameworks.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The now-obsolete order Picariae included families now placed in Coraciiformes and other groups.
  • Some 19th-century classification systems used the term order Picariae.

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic discussion: The term may be used when discussing the history of bird classification or comparing different taxonomic systems.
  • The debate centered on whether the order Picariae was a natural grouping or an artificial assemblage.

Variants and Related Words

• Picarian (adj): Pertaining to the order Picariae.
  • The picarian birds shared certain anatomical features.
• Coraciiformes (n): The modern taxonomic order considered nearly equivalent.
  • Kingfishers and bee-eaters belong to the order Coraciiformes.

Synonyms

• Coraciiformes (in the specific sense noted in the definition as being nearly equivalent).

Important Note

• There are no idioms, phrasal verbs, or common phrases associated with this highly specialized scientific term. Its usage is confined to academic and historical texts in zoology and ornithology.

Noun

1. term used in some classifications as nearly equivalent to the order Coraciiformes