A bird that is considered devilish or evil in character, or a nickname for a bird with frightening appearance or behavior.
Compound word combining 'devil' (from Old English deofol, via Latin diabolus from Greek diabolos meaning 'slanderer') and 'bird' (from Old English brid). The term arose as folklore naming for species like shrikes, crows, or other predatory birds considered ominous.
Different cultures have their own 'devilbirds'—in Sri Lanka, the Asian koel is called the devil bird because of its eerie call; in medieval Europe, ravens and crows got this title. It reveals how humans project moral judgment onto animals based on appearance and sound.
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