from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wattlebird \Wat"tle*bird`\, n.
1. (Zool.) Any one of several species of honey eaters
belonging to {Anthochaera} and allied genera of the family
{Meliphagidae}. These birds usually have a large and
conspicuous wattle of naked skin hanging down below each
ear. They are natives of Australia and adjacent islands.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The best-known species ({Anthochaera carunculata}) has
the upper parts grayish brown, with a white stripe on
each feather, and the wing and tail quills dark brown
or blackish, tipped with withe. Its wattles, in life,
are light blood-red. Called also {wattled crow},
{wattled bee-eater}, {wattled honey eater}. Another
species ({Anthochaera inauris}) is streaked with black,
gray, and white, and its long wattles are white, tipped
with orange. The bush wattlebirds, belonging to the
genus {Anellobia}, are closely related, but lack
conspicuous wattles. The most common species
({Anthochaera mellivora}) is dark brown, finely
streaked with white. Called also {goruck creeper}.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) The Australian brush turkey.
[1913 Webster]