noun
Rare term for the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus). The common name is ホトトギス.
See also: ホトトギス
「たまさか鳥」はホトトギスの古い異名の一つだ。
"Tamasakadori" is one of the old alternate names for the lesser cuckoo.
The standard modern Japanese name for the lesser cuckoo; たまさか鳥 is a rare, archaic synonym.
The derivation is uncertain; the kanji 偶さか (たまさか) may relate to 'occasional' or 'rare', possibly referring to the bird's elusive nature.