What visual marker does the Greek root *leucophrys* in *Zonotrichia leucophrys* describe?
Answer
The striking white crown stripes.
The scientific epithet *leucophrys* is derived from combining specific Greek words that relate directly to the bird's appearance. Although the root *ophrys* relates to the eyebrow, in this context, the combination accurately describes the most trademark visual aspect of the species: the prominent, striking white stripes running across the crown of the head. This naming convention demonstrates how scientific nomenclature often utilizes precise morphological details observed in the field as diagnostic identifiers.
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