Campephagidae

/ˌkæmpəˈfædʒɪdiː/ noun

Definition

A family of birds commonly known as cuckoo-shrikes, characterized by their habit of eating caterpillars and their shrike-like appearance.

Etymology

From Greek 'kampe' (caterpillar) plus 'phagos' (eater) plus '-idae' (family suffix), literally meaning 'caterpillar-eaters', describing their primary food source.

Kelly Says

The bird family's scientific name literally means 'caterpillar-eaters,' but many Campephagidae actually eat far more than caterpillars—the name stuck anyway, showing how first impressions become permanent in taxonomy.

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