wattlebird

1 definition found

wattlebird - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Wattlebird \Wat"tle*bird`\, n.
     1. (Zool.) Any one of several species of honey eaters
        belonging to Anthochaera and allied genera of the family
        Meliphagidae. These birds usually have a large and
        conspicuous wattle of naked skin hanging down below each
        ear. They are natives of Australia and adjacent islands.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The best-known species (Anthochaera carunculata) has
           the upper parts grayish brown, with a white stripe on
           each feather, and the wing and tail quills dark brown
           or blackish, tipped with withe. Its wattles, in life,
           are light blood-red. Called also wattled crow,
           wattled bee-eater, wattled honey eater. Another
           species (Anthochaera inauris) is streaked with black,
           gray, and white, and its long wattles are white, tipped
           with orange. The bush wattlebirds, belonging to the
           genus Anellobia, are closely related, but lack
           conspicuous wattles. The most common species
           (Anthochaera mellivora) is dark brown, finely
           streaked with white. Called also goruck creeper.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) The Australian brush turkey.
        [1913 Webster]