crocodile bird

crocodile bird
an African courser, Pluvianus aegyptius, that often sits upon basking crocodiles and feeds on their insect parasites.
[1865-70]

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▪ bird
 (Pluvianus aegyptius; see photograph—>), shorebird belonging to the family Glareolidae (order Charadriiformes). The crocodile bird is a plover-like courser that derives its name from its frequent association with the Nile crocodile, from whose hide it picks parasites for food. By their cries, the birds also serve to warn crocodiles of approaching danger. They are also called black-backed coursers.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Crocodile bird — Crocodile Croc o*dile (kr[o^]k [ o]*d[imac]l; 277), n. [L. crocodilus, Gr. kroko deilos: cf. F. crocodile. Cf. {Cookatrice}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A large reptile of the genus {Crocodilus}, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • crocodile bird — n. a small African courser (Pluvianus aegyptius) which feeds on insects that are often parasites on the crocodile …   English World dictionary

  • crocodile bird — noun Date: 1868 an African bird (Pluvianus aegyptius) that is related to the pratincoles and lights on the crocodile and eats its insect parasites …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • crocodile bird — croc′odile bird n. orn a short legged African courser, Pluvianus aegyptius, inhabiting sandy riverbanks and lake shores • Etymology: 1865–70 …   From formal English to slang

  • crocodile bird — /ˈkrɒkədaɪl bɜd/ (say krokuhduyl berd) noun an African plover, Pluvianus aegyptius, which often sits upon basking crocodiles and feeds on their insect parasites …  

  • crocodile bird — noun African courser that feeds on insect parasites on crocodiles • Syn: ↑Pluvianus aegyptius • Hypernyms: ↑courser • Member Holonyms: ↑Pluvianus, ↑genus Pluvianus …   Useful english dictionary

  • The Crocodile Bird — infobox Book | name = The Crocodile Bird title orig = translator = image caption = author = Ruth Rendell cover artist = country = United Kingdom language = English series = genre = Crime/Mystery novel publisher = Hutchinson release date = 2… …   Wikipedia

  • Crocodile — Croc o*dile (kr[o^]k [ o]*d[imac]l; 277), n. [L. crocodilus, Gr. kroko deilos: cf. F. crocodile. Cf. {Cookatrice}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A large reptile of the genus {Crocodilus}, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or eighteen feet,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Crocodile tears — Crocodile Croc o*dile (kr[o^]k [ o]*d[imac]l; 277), n. [L. crocodilus, Gr. kroko deilos: cf. F. crocodile. Cf. {Cookatrice}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) A large reptile of the genus {Crocodilus}, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Crocodile (song) — Crocodile Single by Underworld from the album Oblivion with Bells Released …   Wikipedia

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