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Glite Dictionary
genus Anhinga

genus Anhinga

9.9
A group of water birds called darters or snakebirds
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnəs ˈænhɪŋɡə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : género Anhinga
  • The genus Anhinga includes several species of water birds.

Examples

  • The genus Anhinga contains several species distributed in tropical regions worldwide.

  • Did you know the genus Anhinga is also called snakebirds?

  • Fossil records indicate the presence of extinct species within the genus Anhinga.

  • Researchers studied the feeding habits of birds in the genus Anhinga.

  • The genus Anhinga includes species that are commonly found near freshwater lakes and rivers.

  • Birdwatchers often seek to observe the magnificent genus Anhinga during their migrations.

  • The distinctive features of the genus Anhinga make it easily recognizable among other aquatic birds.

Surface Forms

genus Anhinga singular
genera Anhinga plural

Morphology

genus + anhinga

The phrase is transparently compositional: 'genus' denotes a taxonomic rank and 'Anhinga' is the name of the bird group, so together they mean the taxonomic group of Anhinga species. This follows standard biological naming conventions (common across languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

Genus Anhinga may come from a South American native word for the bird, because these birds often swim with only their long neck above the water, looking like a snake. That's why they are called 'snakebirds' or 'darters', and the name now refers to the group of these water birds.