Passerine: meaning, definitions and examples

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passerine

 

[ ˈpæsəraɪn ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

type of bird

Passerine refers to a large order of birds known as Passeriformes, which includes over half of all bird species. These birds are characterized by their perching habits and the structure of their feet, which typically enable them to grasp branches. The term 'passerine' is often used to describe small, songbird-like birds.

Synonyms

perching bird, songbird

Examples of usage

  • The garden was full of colorful passerines.
  • Birdwatchers often seek out rare passerine species.
  • Passerines are known for their complex vocalizations.

Translations

Translations of the word "passerine" in other languages:

🇵🇹 passeriforme

🇮🇳 पैसरिन

🇩🇪 Singvogel

🇮🇩 burung penyanyi

🇺🇦 птиця горобцеподібна

🇵🇱 ptak wróblowaty

🇯🇵 スズメ目の鳥

🇫🇷 passeriforme

🇪🇸 pájaros paseriformes

🇹🇷 gece kuşu

🇰🇷 참새목

🇸🇦 طائر عابر

🇨🇿 pěvci

🇸🇰 spevavce

🇨🇳 雀形目

🇸🇮 ptice pevke

🇮🇸 fuglar í singing

🇰🇿 құстардың ән айтуы

🇬🇪 პასერინები

🇦🇿 passeriformes

🇲🇽 pájaros paseriformes

Word origin

The term 'passerine' is derived from the Latin word 'passer', meaning 'sparrow'. It has its roots in the Classical Latin language, where 'passer' referred specifically to small birds, especially sparrows. The classification of birds into different orders and families began in earnest in the 18th century, with the work of naturalists such as Carl Linnaeus. The order Passeriformes was formally established to categorize these perching birds, which exhibit a wide range of sizes and behaviors. Over time, the understanding of passerine birds expanded, leading to the realization that they make up more than half of all bird species today, showcasing significant diversity in habitat, diet, and mating calls.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,046, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.