A genus of New Zealand birds, including the huia, characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism in bill size and shape.
From Greek hetero- (different) + locha (female, or relating to gender/sexual characteristics). The genus name reflects the striking differences between male and female birds in bill structure.
Heteralocha huias are extinct now, but their extreme dimorphism—males had short straight bills, females had long curved bills—is an evolutionary puzzle that still fascinates biologists because it suggests incredibly specialized feeding roles separated by sex, and we'll never fully understand why.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.