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Webster 1913 Edition


Kingbird

King′bird

,
Noun.
(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.
2.
The king tody. See under
King
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Kingbird

KING'BIRD

,
Noun.
A fowl of the genus Paradisea; also, a species of the genus Muscicapa, so called from its courage in attacking larger fowls.

Definition 2024


kingbird

kingbird

English

Noun

kingbird (plural kingbirds)

  1. A group of large insectivorous passerine birds of the genus Tyrannus.

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