Kingbird
[Noun]
Webster's Dictionary 1828
A fowl of the genus
Paradisea; also, a species of the genus Muscicapa, so called from its courage in attacking larger fowls.
Kingbird
[Noun]
Webster's Dictionary 1913
1. A small American bird (
Tyrannus tyrannus, or T. 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 head 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.