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Glite Dictionary
family Certhiidae

family Certhiidae

9.9
Small birds that climb tree trunks and creep on bark with thin curved bills
  • noun
  • /ˈfæmɪli ˈsɜrθiˌɪdi/
  • Specialized
: familia Certhiidae
  • The family Certhiidae includes several species of birds known for their bark-creeping habits.

Examples

  • Members of the family Certhiidae are commonly found in woodlands across Europe and Asia.

  • The family Certhiidae includes various species of creepers.

  • Scientists recently discovered a new species within the family Certhiidae in Southeast Asia.

  • I spotted a bird from the family Certhiidae yesterday.

  • Members of the family Certhiidae are commonly found in woodlands across Europe and Asia.

  • Scientists recently discovered a new species within the family Certhiidae in Southeast Asia.

  • The family Certhiidae includes several species of birds known for their bark-creeping habits.

Synonyms

Certhiidae
vsfamily Certhiidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of small birds that climb tree trunks

focuses on their downward curved bills and climbing behaviour rather than range

Surface Forms

family Certhiidae singular
families Certhiidae plural

Morphology

family + Certhiidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase: 'family' (a scientific grouping) combined with the proper name 'Certhiidae' yields the meaning 'the family called Certhiidae (a group of small climbing birds)'. Taxonomic composition is cross-linguistically common and involves no idiomatic shift, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Family Certhiidae names a group of small birds called 'creepers' that use their thin, curved bills to creep up tree trunks looking for insects, so the image of birds 'creeping' on the bark helps you remember that this 'family' is a group of bark-climbing birds.