Trogonidae

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family of colorful, tropical birds known for their characteristic long tails and vibrant plumage, often found in forested environments
2. A group of arboreal birds that exhibit striking colors and feed mainly on fruits and insects, commonly seen in Central and South America
3. Members of this avian family are distinguished by their unique body shapes and diverse coloration, typically inhabiting lush, wooded areas

Etymology: Its root is the Greek "trōgōn", meaning "gnawer" or "nibbler", from the verb "trogein", to gnaw or chew. The name probably refers to the birds' habit of stripping soft fruit, and possibly to the serrated edges of their bills. The genus "Trogon" took its name from that Greek word, and the family name was then built from the genus. The ending "-idae" is a zoological convention. It comes from the Greek patronymic suffix "-idēs", meaning "son of", which taxonomists adopted to mark family-level groups. The family's name therefore means roughly "the group named after the gnawers", a label that says nothing about the long tails or bright plumage.

Synonyms: trogons