Araucana

[ ar-uh-kah-nuh ]

noun

1. any of numerous varieties of domestic chickens derived from South American wild fowl, noted for producing pale blue, green, or pinkish eggs.
2. a breed of Araucana, developed in the United States, having ear tufts and no tail.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Araucana¹

First recorded in 1920–25; from Latin American Spanish (Colombia), feminine of araucano; Araucan

Example Sentences

And if you don't know your Royal Legbar from your Foghorn Leghorn, the firm helpfully explains the refined origins of the fowl: they are "from the renowned Legbar family and descended from the Araucana breed".

From BBC

The chickens are kept in two separate flocks, each containing three different breeds – Vega Brown, California White Leghorn, and Araucana, the last of which lays blue eggs, which are prized by bedazzled Berkeleyans.

From The New Yorker

A designer araucana egg on top becomes dressing when sliced open.

From Washington Post

One bright spot — the pastel-colored eggs of Araucana hens, back from their winter break.

From New York Times

"I will," quoth the barber: "but see, I have here three more for you, the Araucana of Don Alonso de Ercilla; the Austirada of Juan Ruffo, a magistrate of Cordova; and the Monserrato of Christopher de Virves, a Valentian poet."

From Project Gutenberg