Wattlebird
noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of a group of Australian birds in the genus Anthochaera of the honeyeater family Meliphagidae.
"In Hobart Town it is frequently exposed for sale in the markets with Bronzewing Pigeons and Wattlebirds, where it is known by the name of Ground-Dove, an appellation which has doubtless been given both from its habit of running and feeding upon the ground like the Pigeons […]"
- 2 Any of three birds in the family Callaeidae, endemic to New Zealand.
Example
More examples"In Hobart Town it is frequently exposed for sale in the markets with Bronzewing Pigeons and Wattlebirds, where it is known by the name of Ground-Dove, an appellation which has doubtless been given both from its habit of running and feeding upon the ground like the Pigeons […]"
Etymology
From wattle + bird.
Related phrases
More for "wattlebird"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.