riflebird Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun velvety black Australian bird of paradise with green and purple iridescence on head and tail
    Ptloris paradisea.

WordNet

Ri"fle*bird` noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) Any one of several species of beautiful birds of Australia and New Guinea, of the genera Ptiloris and Craspidophora, allied to the paradise birds. ✍ The largest and best known species is Ptiloris paradisea of Australia. Its general color is rich velvety brown, glossed with lilac; the under parts are varied with rich olive green, and the head, throat, and two middle tail feathers are brilliant metallic green.

Webster 1913