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subfamily Turdinae

subfamily Turdinae

9.9
A group of birds like thrushes that some scientists use to sort birds
  • noun
  • /sʌbˈfæmɪli ˈtɜrdɪneɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : subfamilia Turdinae
  • The subfamily Turdinae includes various species of thrushes.

Examples

  • The subfamily Turdinae includes many familiar woodland birds known for their melodious songs.

  • Recent genetic studies have led to debates over the circumscription of the subfamily Turdinae.

  • In some taxonomies, the subfamily Turdinae encompasses the true thrushes.

  • Did you know that the subfamily Turdinae is known for its melodic songs?

  • In some taxonomies, the subfamily Turdinae encompasses the true thrushes.

  • The subfamily Turdinae includes many familiar woodland birds known for their melodious songs.

  • Recent genetic studies have led to debates over the circumscription of the subfamily Turdinae.

Synonyms

Turdinae
vssubfamily Turdinae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of birds in the thrush family, like robins

is the identical meaning but used as an alternative classification label

Surface Forms

Morphology

subfamily + Turdinae

The noun 'subfamily' clearly signals a taxonomic rank (below family, above genus), so a learner who knows that word will understand the phrase denotes a named taxonomic group. However 'Turdinae' is a Latin taxon name with no transparent lexical meaning for a B1 learner (they will not infer it refers to thrushes), so the overall interpretation is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Subfamily Turdinae gets its name from the Latin word 'turdus', which means 'thrush', a common songbird. The word subfamily shows it is a smaller 'group' inside a larger family, so subfamily Turdinae simply means the 'group' of thrush-like birds.