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Glite Dictionary
Stercorariidae

Stercorariidae

9.9
A sea bird that chases other birds to steal their food
  • noun
  • /ˌstɜr.kəˈrɛr.iˌaɪ.di/
  • Specialized
: Stercorariidae
  • The Stercorariidae family includes several species of skuas.

Examples

  • Members of the Stercorariidae are well known for their aggressive kleptoparasitic behavior.

  • The conservation status of Stercorariidae varies depending on the particular species and region.

  • Birdwatchers in the Arctic islands often spot several species within the Stercorariidae family.

  • Have you ever seen a Stercorariidae in the wild?

  • Birdwatchers in the Arctic islands often spot several species within the Stercorariidae family.

  • Members of the Stercorariidae are well known for their aggressive kleptoparasitic behavior.

  • The Stercorariidae family includes several species of skuas.

Synonyms

family Stercorariidae
vsStercorariidae
  • Specialized
9.9

Seabirds that chase other birds and steal their food, found in cold seas

is the same family term but does not mention geographic range

Surface Forms

Stercorariidae singular
Stercorariidaes plural

Morphology

Stercorariidae = Stercorarius (opaque) = Stercorari + idae

Formed from a Latin genus name plus the specialist zoological family suffix '-idae', a formation that is regular in taxonomy but not transparent to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Stercorariidae comes from the Latin word stercorarius, from stercus which means 'dung'. A helpful way to remember this is that early observers saw these birds chase others until they 'dropped' or 'spat out' food, so the name stuck to these aggressive seabirds that often steal food from other birds.