Passeridae

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A taxonomic family encompassing small birds that predominantly consume seeds, which includes species like sparrows and finches, noted for their stout shapes and robust beaks
2. This group of small, seed-eating avians comprises various species, including sparrows and finches, recognized for their social interactions and adaptability across diverse environments
3. A classification of small birds characterized by seed-based diets and strong, conical beaks, featuring species such as sparrows and finches

Etymology: The family takes its name from its type genus, "Passer," which is the Latin word for sparrow. The family is therefore named for the sparrows, the group's best-known members, though it also includes the Old World sparrows' relatives such as the snowfinches. The ending "-idae" is a suffix that zoologists attach to a type genus name to form a family name. The suffix comes from Greek patronymics, which marked someone as a descendant of a named ancestor. Under the zoological naming rules, every family name is built this way, so a family name always points back to a genus that anchors it.