Relating to or characteristic of birds in the genus Coccothraustes, or their family, known for powerful seed-cracking beaks.
From Coccothraustes plus -ine (relating to). Describes traits associated with these specialized seed-eating birds.
Coccothraustine birds are proof of evolution—their beak shape and jaw muscles evolved specifically because there was a food source (hard nuts) worth the energy investment to eat.
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