kingbird

2 definitions found

kingbird - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Kingbird \King"bird\, n. (Zool.)
     1. A small American bird (Tyrannus tyrannus, or Tyrannus  Carolinensis
        ), noted for its courage in attacking larger
        birds, even hawks and eagles, especially when they
        approach its nest in the breeding season. It is a typical
        tyrant flycatcher, taking various insects upon the wing.
        It is dark ash above, and blackish on the bead and tail.
        The quills and wing coverts are whitish at the edges. It
        is white beneath, with a white terminal band on the tail.
        The feathers on the head of the adults show a bright
        orange basal spot when erected. Called also bee bird,
        and bee martin. Several Southern and Western species of
        Tyrannus are also called king birds.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The king tody. See under King.
        [1913 Webster]

kingbird - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  kingbird
      n 1: large American flycatcher [syn: kingbird, Tyrannus tyrannus
           ]