Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
family Xenicidae

family Xenicidae

9.9
A group of small birds that live only in New Zealand, known as New Zealand wrens
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia Xenicidae
  • The family Xenicidae, which includes the New Zealand wrens, is fascinating to birdwatchers.

Examples

  • Many species within the family Xenicidae are endangered.

  • The family Xenicidae is unique to New Zealand.

  • All members of the family Xenicidae are native to New Zealand.

  • Many unique evolutionary traits are observed within the family Xenicidae.

  • The discovery of new fossils expanded our understanding of the family Xenicidae.

  • Bird enthusiasts often study the family Xenicidae to learn about their unique behaviors.

  • Researchers discovered that the family Xenicidae has several species that are threatened.

Synonyms

Acanthisittidae
vsfamily Xenicidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of small birds called New Zealand wrens that live only in New Zealand

is the alternative family name used for the same birds
Xenicidae
vsfamily Xenicidae
  • Specialized
9.9

A family of small birds found only in New Zealand, including wrens

focuses on being native to New Zealand rather than family composition

Surface Forms

family Xenicidae singular
families Xenicidae plural

Morphology

family + Xenicidae

This is a fully compositional taxonomic noun phrase: combining the generic noun 'family' (a grouping) with the taxonomic name 'Xenicidae' yields the meaning 'the family called Xenicidae'. Given knowledge of both constituents a B1 learner can readily infer it refers to that bird family; the pattern (family + taxon name) is common and cross-linguistically transparent.

Etymology

Family Xenicidae comes from the older name Xenicus, which comes from a Greek word meaning 'strange' because these tiny wrens seemed unusual to early scientists. So, the name now refers to this family of small New Zealand wrens.