perching bird

American  

noun

1. any member of the avian order Passeriformes.

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Etymology

Origin of perching bird

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

In 2012, evolutionary biologist Catherine Sheard started an ambitious Ph.D. project: measuring the shape of every kind of passerine, or perching bird, in the world.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 16, 2022

The species just named, while in its limbs, trunk, and feathers a veritable perching bird, resembles a reptile in its head and tail.

From The Chain of Life in Geological Time A Sketch of the Origin and Succession of Animals and Plants by Dawson, Sir J. William

It is difficult of definition, but almost any small perching bird may, with more or less certainty, be referred to the Passeres.

From Color Key to North American Birds with bibiographical appendix by Chapman, Frank M.

"There is," says Dr. Woodward, "a typical bird's 'merrythought' between the wings, and the hind leg is exactly that of a perching bird."

From The Story of Evolution by McCabe, Joseph

"Because, for one reason, his feet have the three toes in front and the one behind, all on the same level; this makes him a perching bird."

From Citizen Bird Scenes from Bird-Life in Plain English for Beginners by Fuertes, Louis Agassiz