passeres

Passeres is an outdated term historically used for a large group of perching birds. In modern classifications, they are encompassed within the order Passeriformes, which is the largest order of birds, containing roughly 60% of all bird species and about 5,000–6,500 species. Passeriformes are distributed worldwide and occupy a wide range of habitats, from forests and grasslands to urban areas.

A defining feature of passerines is their foot structure, typically anisodactyl: three toes face forward and one back, which facilitates perching and grasping branches. The order exhibits remarkable diversity in size, shape, and diet. Most are small to medium-sized songbirds, but forms with robust beaks and varied diets occur, including insectivores, granivores, and frugivores. Nests vary from cups to pendulous structures, and many species are highly territorial during breeding.

Taxonomically, Passeriformes is divided into two major groups: suboscines (Tyranni) and oscines (Passeri). Oscines are renowned for their complex vocal abilities and learned songs, aided by a more advanced vocal apparatus and neural control. Suboscines typically have simpler, innate vocalizations. The two groups together include many familiar families such as wrens, sparrows, warblers, crows, and thrushes.

Conservation concerns for passerines arise from habitat loss, climate change, and introduced predators in some regions. Because of their ecological roles as pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect controllers, passerines are frequently considered important indicators of environmental health. Taxonomy within Passeriformes continues to be refined through molecular studies, leading to ongoing updates in relationships and classifications.