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Ardeidae

Ardeidae

9.9
A family of birds like herons and egrets with long legs and necks
  • noun
  • /ˈɑrdɪˌdeɪ/
  • Specialized
: Ardeidae
  • Many species in the Ardeidae family are recognized for their distinctive long legs and necks.

Examples

  • Herons and egrets belong to the bird family called Ardeidae.

  • The Ardeidae family is distributed worldwide, with many species adapted to wetlands and marshes.

  • Scientists are studying the migration patterns of various species within Ardeidae.

  • The Ardeidae family includes many species of herons.

  • Did you know that Ardeidae are often found near wetlands?

  • The family of wading birds known as Ardeidae includes herons, egrets, and bitterns.

  • Birdwatchers are excited to spot various species from the Ardeidae family in the marsh today.

Synonyms

family Ardeidae
vsArdeidae
  • Specialized
9.1

A group of long-legged birds that live in shallow water like herons and egrets

is narrower, excluding night herons among the listed species

Compounds

family Ardeidae
  • Specialized
9.1

A group of long-legged birds that live in shallow water like herons and egrets

Surface Forms

Ardeidae singular
Ardeidaes plural

Morphology

Ardeidae = Ardea (opaque) = Ardea + idae

The suffix '-idae' is a technical zoological family ending not productive in general English, so an average B1 learner would not infer 'family of herons' from the parts.

Etymology

Ardeidae comes from the Latin ardea 'heron', the same root as the English word heron, and the family ending -idae 'group of related animals'. So Ardeidae names the family of herons, egrets and bitterns, birds that wade in water and have long legs and necks.