black-billed cuckoo

[ blak-bild ]

noun

1. a black-billed North American cuckoo, Coccyzus erythropthalmus, that, unlike most cuckoos, constructs its own nest and rears its own young.

Word History and Origins

Origin of black-billed cuckoo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Led by Molly Adams, its founder, the group clocked over 80 species in under 10 hours, including one black-billed cuckoo and a cerulean warbler.

From New York Times

The yellow-billed cuckoo and its close cousin, the black-billed cuckoo, arrive at the height of bird migration — right about now in New York City — and remain in numbers through the end of June.

From New York Times

The black-billed cuckoo's voice is softer, and its cow notes run together, otherwise their "songs" are alike.

From Project Gutenberg

First, however, let me relieve my conscience by putting on record the bravery of a black-billed cuckoo, whom I was obliged fairly to drive from her post of duty.

From Project Gutenberg