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Glite Dictionary
Carduelinae

Carduelinae

9.9
A group of small birds that eat seeds, like goldfinches and siskins
  • noun
  • /kɑrˈdjuːəˌleɪni/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Carduelinae
  • The Carduelinae are known for their conical bills adapted for eating seeds.

Examples

  • Many colorful birds belong to the Carduelinae, including goldfinches and siskins.

  • Research on the Carduelinae helps ornithologists understand the evolution of finches.

  • The Carduelinae subfamily includes many colorful finches.

  • Did you know that Carduelinae are known for their beautiful songs?

  • Many colorful birds belong to the Carduelinae, including goldfinches and siskins.

  • The Carduelinae are known for their conical bills adapted for eating seeds.

  • Research on the Carduelinae helps ornithologists understand the evolution of finches.

Synonyms

subfamily Carduelinae
vsCarduelinae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small seed-eating birds in the finch family

is the scientific name label used for that subgroup

Compounds

subfamily Carduelinae
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small seed-eating birds in the finch family

Surface Forms

Carduelinae singular
Carduelinaes plural

Morphology

Carduelinae = Carduelis (opaque) = Carduelis + inae

Formed by a genus name plus the specialized taxonomic suffix '-inae'; this naming convention is technical and not transparent to general learners.

Etymology

Carduelinae comes from the old Latin name Carduelis, which itself comes from carduus meaning 'thistle', because these finches eat thistle and other seeds. So the name points to a group of seed-eating finches like the goldfinch, explaining why Carduelinae is the name for this small family of birds.