widow bird

widow bird

See also: widowbird

English

a widow bird (Euplectes jacksoni)

Etymology

Named after their usually black plumage, like the mourning clothes of a widow. Possibly also because they are brood parasites.

Noun

widow bird (plural widow birds)

1. Any of several species of birds in the family Viduidae, incorporating whydahs and widow finches.

Synonyms

• sakabula bird
• kaffir finch

Translations

species

Zulu: sakabula

References

• 1978 A Dictionary of South African English. Ed. Jean Branford. Oxford.
• 1983 Newman's Birds of Southern Africa. Ed. Kennith Newman. Macmillan.

Further reading

• widow bird on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Viduidae on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
• widow bird on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons