'Ptilonorhynchus violaceus' definitions:
Definition of 'Ptilonorhynchus violaceus'
(from WordNet)
noun
Of southeast Australia; male is glossy violet blue; female is light grey-green [syn: satin bowerbird, satin bird, Ptilonorhynchus violaceus]
Definition of 'Ptilonorhynchus violaceus'
From: GCIDE
- Bower bird \Bow"er bird`\ (Zool.) An Australian bird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus or Ptilonorhynchus holosericeus), allied to the starling. The male constructs singular bowers or playhouses of twigs and decorates them with bright-colored objects to attract females; the satin bird. [1913 Webster]
- Note: The name is also applied to other related birds of the same region, having similar habits; as, the {spotted bower bird} (Chalmydodera maculata), and the regent bird (Sericulus melinus). [1913 Webster]