passeridae

Thân thiện

A small flock of passeridae chirps on a garden fence.

Definition

Noun 1. A family of small passerine birds: Passeridae is the taxonomic family name for a group of birds commonly known as the true sparrows or Old World sparrows. These are small, seed-eating birds with stout bodies, short tails, and strong, conical beaks. They were historically classified with weaverbirds but are now recognized as a distinct family.

Usage

• The word "Passeridae" is used in formal, scientific, or academic contexts, specifically in ornithology (the study of birds) and biological taxonomy. It is not used in everyday conversation.
• It is always capitalized, as it is a proper noun referring to a taxonomic family.

Examples

• Scientific Classification: "The house sparrow () belongs to the family Passeridae."
• Comparative Biology: "Unlike New World sparrows in the family Passerellidae, members of the Passeridae are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa."
• Historical Context: "The Passeridae were once considered a subfamily of weaverbirds (Ploceidae) due to superficial similarities."

Advanced Usage

• In Taxonomic Hierarchy: The term is used to specify a precise level of biological classification (Family: Passeridae), which sits below the order (Passeriformes) and above the genus (e.g., ).
• Phylogenetic Discussion: Used in scientific literature discussing the evolutionary relationships and genetic distinctions between Passeridae and other bird families like Ploceidae (weavers) or Estrildidae (waxbills).

Variants and Related Words

• Passerid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Passeridae; relating to the Passeridae.
  • Example: "The passerid species examined showed similar feeding adaptations."
• Passerine (noun/adjective): A bird of the large order Passeriformes, to which Passeridae belongs; relating to perching birds.
  • Example: "Robins, crows, and sparrows are all passerines."

Synonyms

• True sparrows (common name)
• Old World sparrows (descriptive name)

Different Meanings

The word "Passeridae" has only one specific meaning in modern scientific English: the taxonomic family for true sparrows. It does not have other general definitions or idiomatic uses.

Học thuật

Noun

1. true sparrows: Old world birds formerly considered weaverbirds

Từ đồng nghĩa

• Passeridae
• family Passeridae