kingfisher

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a nonpasserine large-headed bird with a short tail and long sharp bill

2. 2
   noun

   Any of various birds of the suborder Alcedines (or the family Alcedinidae sensu lato), having a large head, short tail and brilliant colouration; they feed mostly on fish.

Originally king's fisher, from Middle English kyngys fyschare; equivalent to king + fisher. So named for obscure reasons.

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