muttonbird

/ ˈmʌtənˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any of several shearwaters, having a dark plumage with greyish underparts, esp the sooty shearwater ( Puffinus griseus ) of New Zealand, which is collected for food by Māoris. It inhabits the Pacific Ocean and in summer nests in Australia and New Zealand
2. any of various petrels esp the short tailed shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris , which inhabits the Pacific Ocean and in summer nests in S Australia

Word History and Origins

Origin of muttonbird¹

C19: so named because their cooked flesh is claimed to taste like mutton

Example Sentences

At Muttonbird Island, we saw the reef where Tom and Eva’s ship foundered.

From New York Times