laughing bird

1 definition found

laughing bird - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Yaffle \Yaf"fle\ (y[a^]f"f'l), n. [Probably imitative of its
     call or cry.] (Zool.)
     The European green woodpecker (Picus viridis syn. Genius viridis
     ). It is noted for its loud laughlike note. Called
     also eccle, hewhole, highhoe, laughing bird,
     popinjay, rain bird, yaffil, yaffler, yaffingale,
     yappingale, yackel, and woodhack.
     [1913 Webster]