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Definition of cuckooshrike
cuckooshrike
/ˈkʊk.uːˌʃraɪk/
cuck · oo · shrike
Plural:cuckooshrikes
cuckooshrike Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of various arboreal passerine birds belonging to the family Campephagidae, found primarily in the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia, typically characterized by stout bills and predominantly grey, black, or white plumage.
Example
"During our ornithological survey in Queensland, we observed a black-faced cuckooshrike foraging for insects in the eucalyptus canopy."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed as a compound of 'cuckoo' and 'shrike' in the early 19th century, referring to the bird's superficial physical resemblance to both groups, despite it not being closely related to either.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cuckooshrike. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cuckooshrike