Apterygiformes

plural noun

Ap·​ter·​yg·​i·​for·​mes

ˌaptəˌrijəˈfȯrˌmēz

: an order of flightless ground birds (superorder Palaeognathae) having vestigial wings, long bills, and small eyes and being coextensive with a family (Apterygidae) that includes the New Zealand kiwis and extinct related birds of Australia and New Zealand see apteryx

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Apteryg-, Apteryx + -iformes

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