manucode

[man-yuh-kohd]

noun

1. any of various birds of paradise of the New Guinea region, having dark, metallic plumage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of manucode¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from French, shortening of New Latin Manucodiata (originally a genus name), from Malay manuk dewata “bird of paradise” ( manuk “bird” + dewata “gods,” from an Indo-Aryan word; deva )

Example Sentences

The curl-crested manucode is endemic to the D’Entrecasteaux and the Trobriand Islands and we found them in both places.

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The manucode has an eerie deep resonating call. 

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We caught curl-crested manucode, hooded butcherbirds, helmeted friarbirds, spangled drongo, and several other species we hadn’t seen since working on the mainland or the D’Entrecasteaux Islands.

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To the manucode is ascribed practical interference with the laws of Nature.

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"Wung-go-bah" describes the noisy pitta; "Wee-loo" the stone plover; "Coo-roo" the tranquil dove; "Piln-piln" the large-billed shore plover; "Kim-bum-broo" the fasciated honey-eater; "Calloo-calloo" the manucode; "Go-bidger-roo" the varied honey-eater, and so on.

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