oropendola

American  

[awr-uh-pen-dl-uh, ohr-uh-] / ˌɔr əˈpɛn dl ə, ˌoʊr ə- /

noun

1. any of several birds of the genus Gymnostinops, related to crows and feeding primarily on fruit and nectar, noted especially for their hanging nests.

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Etymology

Origin of oropendola

1895–1900; < Spanish oropéndola the golden oriole, equivalent to oro gold (< Latin aurum ) + péndola, by-form of péñola feather, quill < Latin pinnula, diminutive of pinna feather, wing; see pinna, -ule

Example Sentences

Consider the peacock’s “big, squawky, shriek,” or the call of the tropical species Montezuma oropendola, reminiscent of the firing of a space weapon in a science-fiction film.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2013