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Which passeriform birds are among the smallest in the world?
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Passeriform
Reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus).
Passeriform birds, commonly known as passerines, are generally small to medium-sized land birds, with most species measuring between 12.5 and 20 cm (5 to 8 inches) in length.1
Among the smallest members of the order Passeriformes are representatives from several diverse families. These include:1
- New World flycatchers (Tyrannidae)1
- New Zealand wrens (Xenicidae)1
- Titmice (Paridae)1
- Flowerpeckers (Dicaeidae)1
- Tanagers (Thraupidae)1
- Waxbills (Estrildidae)1
While the size range for the entire order extends from about 7.5 to 117 cm (3 to 46 inches), these specific groups contain some of the tiniest species within the passerine classification.1