catbird
catbird Lexical Profile
catbird Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A medium-sized North American songbird (Dumetella carolinensis) of the mockingbird family, characterized by its slate-gray plumage, black cap, and a distinctive call resembling a cat's mew.
"While walking through the dense brush, we heard the unmistakable mewing sound of a gray catbird."
Australian Any of several stout-billed bowerbirds of the Australasian genus Ailuroedus, typically possessing green plumage and known for loud, wailing calls reminiscent of a cat.
"The green catbird is a common resident of the subtropical rainforests along the eastern coast of Australia."
• Rhymes for catbird
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 18th century in North America. Formed as a compound of 'cat' and 'bird', named for its distinctive, raspy call that closely resembles the mewing of a cat.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.