Snakebird definition

Snakebird





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3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Snakebird \Snake"bird`\, n. [So named from its snakelike neck.]
     (Zool.)
     1. Any one of four species of aquatic birds of the genus
        {Anhinga} or {Plotus}. They are allied to the gannets and
        cormorants, but have very long, slender, flexible necks,
        and sharp bills.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The American species ({Anhinga anhinga} syn. {Plotus
           anhinga}) inhabits the Southern United States and
           tropical America; -- called also {darter}, and {water
           turkey}. The Asiatic species ({Anhinga melanogaster})
           is native of Southern Asia and the East Indies. Two
           other species inhabit Africa and Australia
           respectively.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) The wryneck.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Wryneck \Wry"neck\, n. (Med.)
     [1913 Webster]
     1. A twisted or distorted neck; a deformity in which the neck
        is drawn to one side by a rigid contraction of one of the
        muscles of the neck; torticollis.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. a person suffering from torticollis.
        [PJC]
  
     3. (Zool.) Any one of several species of Old World birds of
        the genus {Jynx} or subfamily {Jynginae}, allied to the
        woodpeckers; especially, the common European species
        ({Jynx torguilla}); -- so called from its habit of turning
        the neck around in different directions. Called also
        {cuckoo's mate}, {snakebird}, {summer bird}, {tonguebird},
        and {writheneck}.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  snakebird
       n : fish-eating bird of warm inland waters having a long
           flexible neck and slender sharp-pointed bill [syn: {anhinga},
            {darter}]

















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