Reedling \Reed"ling\ (r[=e]d"l[i^]ng), n. (Zool.) The European bearded titmouse ({Panurus biarmicus}); -- called also {reed bunting}, {bearded pinnock}, and {lesser butcher bird}. [1913 Webster] Note: It is orange brown, marked with black, white, and yellow on the wings. The male has a tuft of black feathers on each side of the face. [1913 Webster]
butcher bird \butcher bird\, butcher-bird \butcher-bird\, butcherbird \butcherbird\n. 1. (Zool.) any species of shrike of the genus {Lanius}, so called because they impale their prey on thorns. [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5] 2. (Zool.) large carnivorous Australian bird with the shrikelike habit of impaling prey on thorns. [WordNet 1.5] Note: The {Lanius excubitor} is the common butcher bird of Europe. In England, the bearded tit is sometimes called the {lesser butcher bird}. The American species are {Lanius borealis}, or {northern butcher bird}, and {Lanius Ludovicianus} or {loggerhead shrike}. The name butcher bird is derived from its habit of suspending its prey impaled upon thorns, after killing it. [1913 Webster]