TANAGRIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Tanagridae is a taxonomic family of passerine birds commonly known as tanagers. This family is one of the largest within the order Passeriformes, comprising approximately 240 species. Tanagridae species are found mainly in the Americas, particularly in the tropics, ranging from southern parts of North America to southern Argentina. These birds inhabit a variety of habitats such as forests, woodlands, shrublands, and even urban areas.
Tanagridae species are renowned for their vibrant and colorful plumage, often displaying a wide range of vivid hues like reds, oranges, yellows, blues, and greens. The family exhibits diverse physical characteristics, varying in size from small to medium-sized birds. They typically have compact bodies, short tails, and sharp, conical beaks designed for feeding on fruits, nectar, insects, and seeds.
Tanagridae are primarily frugivorous, with a diet mainly composed of fruits and berries. However, many species also include insects and nectar in their diet. They are known for their acrobatic foraging behavior, often seen hopping between tree branches or hanging upside down to reach their food sources.
These birds are highly vocal, producing a variety of distinct songs and calls. Their melodious and complex songs are an important aspect of communication and courtship displays. Tanagridae species are known to engage in seasonal migrations, with some populations traveling long distances to breed or find food resources.
Due to their striking plumage and melodious songs, tanagers are highly sought-after by birdwatchers and are favored subjects for ornithological research. Their importance in pollination and seed dispersal also contributes to the ecological significance of this diverse avian family.
Common Misspellings for TANAGRIDAE
- ranagridae
- fanagridae
- ganagridae
- yanagridae
- 6anagridae
- 5anagridae
- tznagridae
- tsnagridae
- twnagridae
- tqnagridae
- tabagridae
- tamagridae
- tajagridae
- tahagridae
- tanzgridae
- tansgridae
- tanwgridae
- tanqgridae
- tanafridae
- tanavridae
Etymology of TANAGRIDAE
The word "Tanagridae" is derived from Greek and Latin roots.
The root word "tánagra" (Τάναγρα) comes from Greek mythology. Tanagra was a city in the ancient Boeotia region of Greece, which was famous for its figurines made of terracotta. These figurines were often painted in bright colors and depicted various birds, including finches and other small songbirds. Thus, the name "tánagra" became associated with small, colorful birds.
The suffix "-idae" denotes family in taxonomy and is derived from the Latin word "idae", which comes from the Greek word "eidos" (εἶδος), meaning "form" or "species".
Therefore, "Tanagridae" refers to the family of birds known as "tanagers", which are small, colorful passerine birds found in the Americas.
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