rifle bird

or rifle·bird

noun

1. any of several birds of paradise of Australia, having a long bill, dark plumage, and elaborate courtship displays.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rifle bird¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Armed with a 12-bore sawn-off shotgun and a .22 rifle, Bird called victims over to his car during the rampage as if to ask a question, then shot them, the hearing was told.

From BBC

Armed with a 12-bore sawn-off shotgun and a .22 rifle, Bird called victims over to his car during the rampage as if to ask the time, then shot them, the hearing was told.

From BBC

“The rifle bird; a near relative, I believe, to the birds of paradise.”

From Project Gutenberg

He raised his gun to shoot the rifle bird, but lowered it again.

From Project Gutenberg

Then there is that beautiful purply black kind of crow—the rifle bird they call it.

From Project Gutenberg