bellbird
bellbird Lexical Profile
bellbird Game Scores & Validity
• noun
New Zealand A species of honeyeater (Anthornis melanura) native to New Zealand, characterized by its olive-green plumage and beautiful, resonant, chiming song.
"The melodious morning chorus of the bellbird and the tui is a quintessential sound of the New Zealand native bush."
Any of several Neotropical birds of the genus Procnias (family Cotingidae) found in Central and South America, notable for the extremely loud, metallic, bell-like calls produced by the males.
"While hiking through the Amazon rainforest, the researchers heard the unmistakable, deafening chime of a white bellbird."
Australian Any of several Australian birds with chiming calls, specifically the crested bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis) or the bell miner (Manorina melanophrys).
"The constant 'tink-tink' sound of the bellbird colony echoed clearly through the eucalyptus canopy."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed as a compound of 'bell' + 'bird' in the late 18th century, named for the loud, resonant, bell-like calls produced by these various species of birds.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.