crocodile bird

noun

1. an African courser, Pluvianus aegyptius, that often sits upon basking crocodiles and feeds on their insect parasites.

crocodile bird

noun

1. an African courser, Pluvianus aegyptius, that lives close to rivers and is thought to feed on insects parasitic on crocodiles

Word History and Origins

Origin of crocodile bird¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Here the voice of the Burong boya (crocodile-bird) may be heard, singing like an English thrush.

From Project Gutenberg

This is regarded as quite certainly the bird known in ancient days as the Crocodile Bird.

From Project Gutenberg