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Glite Dictionary
Drepanididae

Drepanididae

9.9
A family of small brightly colored birds from Hawaii with different beak shapes
  • noun
  • /drɛˈpænɪˌdaɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Drepanididae
  • Many species within the Drepanididae family exhibit strikingly different beak shapes adapted to specific food sources.

Examples

  • The extinction of several Drepanididae species is a significant concern for conservationists in Hawaii.

  • Scientists study Drepanididae to better understand how birds adapt to island environments.

  • The Drepanididae family includes many unique species.

  • Did you know that Drepanididae are also known as Hawaiian honeycreepers?

  • Many species within the Drepanididae family exhibit strikingly different beak shapes adapted to specific food sources.

  • Scientists study Drepanididae to better understand how these Hawaiian honeycreepers adapt to their island environment.

  • The extinction of several Drepanididae species poses a significant threat to biodiversity in Hawaii.

Synonyms

Hawaiian honeycreeper
vsDrepanididae
  • Specialized
9.8

Small to medium birds from the Hawaiian Islands that often have bright colors and special beaks

is the formal taxonomic family name for that group
honeycreeper
vsDrepanididae
  • US
9.9

A small to medium finch from Hawaii with colorful feathers and different bill shapes

is the formal family grouping that covers those finch forms

Surface Forms

Drepanididae singular
Drepanididaes plural

Morphology

Drepanididae = drepanid (opaque) = drepanid + idae

The word is a specialized taxonomic formation using the Latin/Greek combining form and the scientific family suffix '-idae', which is not informative to typical B1 learners.

Etymology

Drepanididae comes from the Greek root drepan- meaning 'sickle' and the family ending -idae meaning 'family'. These Hawaiian honeycreepers often have thin, curved, sickle-like beaks, so the name helps you remember them as the 'sickle family' of birds.