1. Perching birds mostly small and living near the ground with feet having 4 toes arranged to allow for gripping the perch; most are songbirds; hatchlings are helpless
   "The robin is a common passerine bird found in many gardens";
   - passeriform bird

1. Relating to or characteristic of the passeriform birds
   "The sparrow's passerine features include its perching feet and singing ability"

Derived forms: passerines

Type of: bird, birdie [informal]

Antonym: nonpasserine

Part of: order Passeriformes, Passeriformes

Encyclopedia: Passerine