butcher bird

butcher bird
butcher bird utcher bird, butcher-bird utcher-bird, butcherbird utcherbird . 1. (Zo["o]l.) any species of shrike of the genus {Lanius}, so called because they impale their prey on thorns. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

2. (Zo["o]l.) large carnivorous Australian bird with the shrikelike habit of impaling prey on thorns. [WordNet 1.5]

Note: The {Lanius excubitor} is the common butcher bird of Europe. In England, the bearded tit is sometimes called the {lesser butcher bird}. The American species are {Lanius borealis}, or {northern butcher bird}, and {Lanius Ludovicianus} or {loggerhead shrike}. The name butcher bird is derived from its habit of suspending its prey impaled upon thorns, after killing it. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • butcher-bird — utcher bird, butcher bird utcher bird, butcherbird utcherbird . 1. (Zo[ o]l.) any species of shrike of the genus {Lanius}, so called because they impale their prey on thorns. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) large carnivorous… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lesser butcher bird — butcher bird utcher bird, butcher bird utcher bird, butcherbird utcherbird . 1. (Zo[ o]l.) any species of shrike of the genus {Lanius}, so called because they impale their prey on thorns. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) large… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • northern butcher bird — butcher bird utcher bird, butcher bird utcher bird, butcherbird utcherbird . 1. (Zo[ o]l.) any species of shrike of the genus {Lanius}, so called because they impale their prey on thorns. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) large… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • butcher-bird — noun Date: 1668 any of various shrikes …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • butcher bird — noun the red backed shrike …   Wiktionary

  • butcher bird — loggerhead shrike …   Eponyms, nicknames, and geographical games

  • butcher-bird — noun 1》 a shrike, so called from its habit of impaling prey on thorns. 2》 a crow like predacious Australasian songbird, with a heavy hook tipped bill. [Genus Cracticus: several species.] …   English new terms dictionary

  • butcher-bird — ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun Etymology: so called from their habit of impaling their prey on thorns : any of various shrikes: as a. : a member of the genus Lanius (especially the common European species L. excubitor and in America the northern shrike L.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lesser butcher bird — Reedling Reed ling (r[=e]d l[i^]ng), n. (Zo[ o]l.) The European bearded titmouse ({Panurus biarmicus}); called also {reed bunting}, {bearded pinnock}, and {lesser butcher bird}. [1913 Webster] Note: It is orange brown, marked with black, white,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • butcher — n. & v. n. 1 a a person whose trade is dealing in meat. b a person who slaughters animals for food. 2 a person who kills or has people killed indiscriminately or brutally. v.tr. 1 slaughter or cut up (an animal) for food. 2 kill (people) wantonly …   Useful english dictionary

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