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Glite Dictionary
Phaethontidae

Phaethontidae

9.9
A family of large tropical seabirds with long tail feathers and mostly white feathers
  • noun
  • /ˌfiːθɒnˈtaɪdiː/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Phaethontidae
  • Members of the Phaethontidae family are noted for their long, streamer-like tail feathers.

Examples

  • The Phaethontidae are commonly seen flying gracefully over tropical oceans.

  • The Phaethontidae family includes stunning birds found in tropical regions.

  • Biologists study the migration patterns of Phaethontidae to better understand seabird ecology.

  • Many species of Phaethontidae are known for their striking appearance.

  • Biologists study the migration patterns of Phaethontidae to better understand seabird ecology.

  • Members of the Phaethontidae family are noted for their long, streamer-like tail feathers.

  • The Phaethontidae are commonly seen flying gracefully over tropical oceans.

Synonyms

family Phaethontidae
vsPhaethontidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of seabirds called tropicbirds with long tail feathers found in tropical oceans

focuses on large size and mostly white appearance rather than habitat

Compounds

family Phaethontidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of seabirds called tropicbirds with long tail feathers found in tropical oceans

Surface Forms

Phaethontidae singular
Phaethontidaes plural

Morphology

Phaethontidae = Phaethon (opaque) = phaethont + idae

Formation by adding the standard taxonomic family suffix '-idae' to the genus name is regular in biological nomenclature but is specialized knowledge.

Etymology

The word Phaethontidae comes from the Greek name Phaethon, meaning 'shining' or 'sun', because these mostly white tropical seabirds often flash in bright sunlight with long, shiny tail feathers. The ending -idae marks a 'family' of related animals, so the name shows this is the 'family' of bright, sunlit tropicbirds.