SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

thornbill

noun

Definition of thornbill

1 : any of several small brilliant South American hummingbirds of the genera Ramphomicron and Chalcostigma that have a long slender sharp bill and feed on honey, insects, and the juice of sugarcane

2 : any of several small Australian warblers of the genus Acanthiza

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