Cracidae

/krəˈsɪd.i/ noun

Definition

A family of large tropical birds native to Central and South America, including guans, chachalacas, and curassows.

Etymology

From New Latin 'Cracidae,' the scientific family name, derived from Greek 'krax' or Latin 'crax' (a type of bird), possibly imitative of their calls.

Kelly Says

Cracidae birds are named partly from the sounds they make—the chachalaca literally sounds like someone repeating 'cha-cha-la-ca,' showing how onomatopoeia hides inside scientific names.

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