Phalaropodidae

plural noun

Phal·​a·​ro·​pod·​i·​dae
ˌfalərōˈpädəˌdē
: a family of small shorebirds that resemble sandpipers but have lobate toes and are good swimmers, breed in the arctic, winter in the tropics, and often occur in large flocks far out at sea, and are distinguished by having the female perform the courtship and the dully colored male the incubation

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Phalaropod-, Phalaropus type genus, from phalaropus phalarope

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Cite this Entry

“Phalaropodidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Phalaropodidae. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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