Definitions
Sorry, no definitions found. Check out and contribute to the discussion of this word!
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word lawyer bird.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
reesetee commented on the word lawyer bird
Nickname for the Black-Necked Stilt and the American Avocet.
From Alexander Wilson's American Ornithology, 1824: "American Avocet . . . from its perpetual clamour and flippancy of tongue, is called, by the inhabitants of Cape May, the Lawyer." From Grinnell's Game Birds of California, 1918: "Together with the Black-necked Stilt, this bird is sometimes known as the 'lawyer bird' because of its long bill and its oft-repeated vociferations!"
December 7, 2007
sonofgroucho commented on the word lawyer bird
Is this the bird that charges ornithologists by the hour?
December 8, 2007
reesetee commented on the word lawyer bird
Yes indeed! And the Secretary Bird makes sure the billing is accurate.
December 8, 2007