Definition

Noun: * A subfamily of birds within the family Laridae, comprising the terns. Terns are slender, graceful seabirds, generally smaller and more streamlined than gulls, with long, pointed wings and often forked tails. They are known for their aerial agility and plunge-diving fishing technique.

Usage

• The term subfamily Sterninae is used in formal ornithological classification to group all tern species taxonomically.
• It specifies a distinct lineage within the larger gull and tern family (Laridae).

Examples

• Ornithologists reclassified the genus under the subfamily Sterninae.
• The subfamily Sterninae includes familiar species like the Common Tern and the Arctic Tern.

Advanced Usage

• In modern taxonomic revisions, some authorities treat Sterninae as a full family, Sternidae.
• The grouping is defined by shared morphological and behavioral traits, such as their distinctive flight and feeding methods.

Variants and Related Words

• Sterninae (noun): The taxonomic subfamily name.
• Tern (noun): The common name for any bird within this subfamily.
• Laridae (noun): The family that includes gulls, terns, and skimmers.

Synonyms

• Terns (common name)

Related Phrases

• Seabird subfamily: A descriptive phrase indicating its ecological and taxonomic grouping.
• Plunge-diving birds: A behavioral description characteristic of this subfamily.

Noun

1. terns