Psittaciformes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A diverse order of birds primarily consisting of parrots, characterized by their strong curved bills and zygodactyl feet
2. These avian species are known for their vibrant plumage and remarkable ability to mimic sounds
3. They typically inhabit tropical and subtropical regions, often exhibiting social behavior and complex vocalizations

Etymology: Psittaciformes is a scientific name for the order of birds that includes parrots, cockatoos, macaws and their relatives, and it was coined in the 19th century rather than in antiquity. Its core is the genus name "Psittacus," which Linnaeus used in the 1750s for the grey parrot, and that genus name came from Latin "psittacus," itself borrowed from Greek "psittakos," a word for the parrot. Ancient Greek writers used "psittakos" for the bird, which had been brought to the Mediterranean from distant regions, so the word is old even though the order name is not. The ending "-iformes" is a taxonomic suffix built from Latin "forma," meaning shape or form, and the Latin "-formes" plural marks the name as an order, the rank used for groups of related families. Zoologists applied this pattern systematically, so "Psittaciformes" simply means "parrot-shaped birds" in the grammar of Latin scientific naming. Its scientific form was standardised in the 19th century, and the name still follows the conventions set by the systematists who organised bird classification.

Synonyms: parrots, parrot family