Artamidae

/ɑrtæməˈdeɪi/ noun

Definition

A family of small songbirds found in Australasia, including woodswallows and butcherbirds, characterized by strong, heavy beaks.

Etymology

From genus Artamus plus the -idae family suffix used in zoological nomenclature. The genus name comes from Greek artamos.

Kelly Says

Scientific family names like Artamidae follow strict rules—the -idae ending instantly tells ornithologists 'this is a bird family,' and switching a suffix tells you whether you're talking about one species (Artamus) or dozens (Artamidae).

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