Phasianoidea is a superfamily of birds of the order of the Galliformes. Taxonomy Description The superfamily was described in 1825 by the Irish zoologist Nicholas Aylward Vigors. Etymology The name Phasianoidea is formed by the union of the elements of scientific Latin Phasian- and -oidea. The first is the genitive root of the name of its type genus, Phasianus; and the second is the ending -oidea, neutral plural of -oideus, derived from ancient Greek εἴδος eidos, 'aspect', 'appearance', 'form', with the union vowel -o-, used in the formation of numerous names of orders and superfamilies of animals. Literally: 'those who look like pheasants'. Families The superfamily is subdivided into three families: Superfamily Phasianoidea Vigors, 1825 – 225 species Family Numididae Reichenbach, 1850 – 6 species Family Odontophoridae Gould, 1844 – 34 species Family Phasianidae Vigors, 1825 – 185 species References Bibliography del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. (1994): "New World Vultures to Guineafowl". In Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 2. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. . External links Phasianoidea in ADW. Galliformes Bird superfamilies