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

If he were only a Black-billed Cuckoo, it would not be so bad, but I saw his bill quite plainly, and it was yellow.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

He has a cousin very much like himself in appearance, save that his bill is all black and he is listed the Black-billed Cuckoo.

From Project Gutenberg

Oven-birds sang at intervals throughout the day, and once I heard again the black-billed cuckoo.

From Project Gutenberg