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Glite Dictionary
family Phalacrocoracidae

family Phalacrocoracidae

9.9
A group of sea birds called cormorants with dark feathers and hooked bills that dive for fish
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli ˌfæləkroʊˈkɔːrəsɪdi/
  • Specialized
: familia Phalacrocoracidae
  • The family Phalacrocoracidae includes about 40 species of cormorants worldwide.

Examples

  • Many birds from the family Phalacrocoracidae are excellent divers.

  • Research on the family Phalacrocoracidae has revealed unique diving adaptations among its members.

  • Ornithologists debated the evolutionary origins of the family Phalacrocoracidae.

  • The family Phalacrocoracidae includes various species of cormorants.

  • The family Phalacrocoracidae comprises birds known for their ability to fish underwater.

  • Birdwatchers often spot members of the family Phalacrocoracidae near coastal waters.

  • Conservation efforts are focused on protecting the habitats of the family Phalacrocoracidae due to their declining populations.

Synonyms

Phalacrocoracidae
vsfamily Phalacrocoracidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of water birds like cormorants that dive to catch fish

stresses dark plumage and general aquatic habits of the family

Surface Forms

family Phalacrocoracidae singular
families Phalacrocoracidae plural

Morphology

family + Phalacrocoracidae

Although 'family' (a grouping) is transparent, 'Phalacrocoracidae' is a specialized Latin taxonomic name that a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words will not be able to interpret or map to 'cormorants'. Only learners with domain knowledge (e.g., familiarity with the zoological -idae suffix or the specific family name) could deduce the meaning, so the phrase is not compositional for average learners.

Etymology

Family Phalacrocoracidae comes from old Greek words phalakros and korax, which together mean 'bald raven'. People thought cormorants looked like dark, raven-like birds with some bare skin on the face, so the name came to label this whole family of seabirds.