Definition

Noun 1. A genus of birds: Toxostoma is the scientific genus name for a group of North American songbirds commonly known as thrashers. These birds are known for their long tails, curved bills, and often secretive behavior.

Usage Notes

• The word is a specialized, scientific term. In everyday language, the common name "thrasher" is almost always used instead.
• As a genus name, it is always capitalized and italicized in formal scientific writing (e.g., for the Brown Thrasher).
• It functions as a singular noun when referring to the genus as a whole (e.g., "The genus includes...") and as a plural when referring to multiple birds of this genus (e.g., "Several were observed.").

Examples

• The Toxostoma is a genus known for its skilled mimicry of other birds' songs.
• Ornithologists study the foraging behavior of Toxostoma species in desert habitats.
• That bird's curved beak is a key identifier for the genus Toxostoma.

Advanced Usage

• In binomial nomenclature: The word is used as the first part of a two-part scientific name for a species.
  • Example: Toxostoma curvirostre is the scientific name for the Curve-billed Thrasher.

Variants and Related Words

• Thrasher (n.): The common name for birds in the genus .
  • Example: The Brown Thrasher is a familiar bird in eastern North America.
• Mimidae (n.): The biological family to which the genus belongs, which also includes mockingbirds and catbirds.

Synonyms

• Thrasher (common name)

Noun

1. thrashers