Apterygiformes

9.9

A group of ground birds that cannot fly with long bills and very small wings like the kiwi

noun
/ˌæp.təˈrɪɡ.ɪ.fɔːr.miːz/

Specialized

: Apterygiformes

The Apterygiformes are native to New Zealand and include all species of kiwi.

Examples

Unlike most birds, Apterygiformes possess only vestigial wings, rendering them unable to fly.
Scientists study Apterygiformes to understand the evolution of flightlessness in birds.
The Apterygiformes are fascinating creatures native to New Zealand.
Have you ever seen an Apterygiformes in the wild?
The Apterygiformes, commonly known as kiwis, are unique flightless birds found only in New Zealand.
Researchers are fascinated by the adaptations of Apterygiformes that allow them to thrive in their terrestrial habitats.
Conservation efforts for Apterygiformes aim to protect these endemic birds from habitat loss and predation.

Synonyms

kiwi

vsApterygiformes

New Zealand

1 6.8

A night bird from New Zealand that cannot fly and has a long thin bill and short strong legs

refers to the whole order of such birds rather than one species

genus Apteryx

vsApterygiformes

Specialized

1 9.5

A group of flightless kiwi birds from New Zealand

is the broader order level rather than the smaller genus group

family Apterygidae

vsApterygiformes

Specialized

9.9

A group of flightless birds from New Zealand that includes the kiwi

is the higher taxonomic rank containing that single family

Surface Forms

Apterygiformes singular

Apterygiformes plural

Morphology

Apterygiformes = apteryx (opaque) = apteryx + iformes

The word is a specialized taxonomic formation based on the genus name 'apteryx', but the order label is not predictable for most learners from the parts alone.

Etymology

The word Apterygiformes comes from Greek parts a- 'without' and pteryg- 'wing', the same 'pter' you see in helicopter. So it literally means 'without wings' and is used for flightless, ground-dwelling birds like the kiwi.