What does the Greek root *plokos*, from which the family name Ploceidae is derived, mean?
Answer
braid or plait
The family name Ploceidae is directly derived from the Greek word *plokos*. This root word translates specifically to mean either a 'braid' or a 'plait.' This etymological link is highly intentional because it references the defining characteristic behavior of the birds in this family: their intricate, woven nesting technique. This naming convention highlights the architectural skill that serves as a primary evolutionary signature for the group, even though specific genera within the family exhibit variations in final nest form, such as pendulous vs. haystack structures.
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