wood pewee

or wood-pewee

noun

1. either of two small North American flycatchers, the western Contopus sordidulus or the eastern C. virens.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wood pewee¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

One thing must be said, however, in defence of the western wood-pewee—he means well.

From Project Gutenberg

To my delight the wood pewee flew up in the tree, sat down on a horizontal crotch, and went through the motions of moulding.

From Project Gutenberg

Everywhere in these solitudes I am greeted with the pensive, almost pathetic note of the Wood-Pewee.

From Project Gutenberg

The Wood-Pewee, the prevailing species in this locality, arrests your attention by his sweet, pathetic cry.

From Project Gutenberg

The wood pewee, like its relative, the phœbe, feeds largely on the family of flies to which the house fly belongs.

From Project Gutenberg