1. Birds that do not belong to the order Passeriformes (perching birds or songbirds); a diverse group including waterfowl, raptors, herons, and other non-perching bird species.
Usage: plural form; technical/ornithological term; used in biology and bird classification

Examples

• Nonpasserines make up a significant portion of bird diversity, including eagles, owls, and ducks.
• The museum's collection features both passerines and nonpasserines from around the world.
• Ornithologists classify nonpasserines into numerous families based on their evolutionary relationships.
• Unlike passerines, many nonpasserines are not known for complex vocalizations.
• The study compared the nesting behaviors of passerines and nonpasserines across different habitats.