order Passeriformes) are the largest order of birds (5,414 species). Many of them are songbirds and have many muscles to control their syrinx; all of them gape in the nest as infants to beg for food.
The order is divided into four suborders, Eurylami, Menurae, Tyranni, and Oscines, one of the first three of which is also called Clamatores. Oscines have the most control of their syrinx muscles and are true songbirds (though some of them, such as the crow, do not sound like it).
Perching birds are also known as passerines or song birds.
Most passerines are smaller than typical members of other avian orders.
The group gets its name from the Latin name for the House sparrow, Passer domesticus
See also list of birds
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