thunderbird

thunder +‎ bird

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈθʌndə.bɜːd/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈθʌndɚ.bɝd/
• Hyphenation: thun‧der‧bird

thunderbird (plural thunderbirds)

1. (mythology) A mythological bird, often associated with stormy weather, especially in various indigenous North American mythologies.
   • 1999, Andrew George, transl., Gilgamesh, section VII:

     A man there was, grim his expression, just like a Thunderbird his features were frightening.

2. The golden whistler, an Australian insectivorous songbird (Pachycephala pectoralis, formerly Pachycephala gutturalis), whose male is conspicuously marked with black and yellow, and has a black crescent on the breast.