Trogoniformes
/ˌtrɒɡəˈnɪfɔːrmiːz/noun
An order of birds that includes trogons and quetzals.
Did you know?Trogoniformes is built from Greek roots meaning “gnawing” and “having the form of,” a scientific name that preserves the old observation that these birds have small, delicate bills.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
trōgōn
“gnawing, nibbling”
Modern Latin
Latin
Trogon
“a genus name applied to these birds”
19th Century
Latin/Scientific
Trogoniformes
“the taxonomic order of trogons”
Modern English
English
Trogoniformes
“the bird order containing trogons and quetzals”
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