てっぺんかけたか

adverb

calling sound of the lesser cuckoo

Onomatopoeic representation of the lesser cuckoo's call. Rare term, mainly encountered in literary or poetic contexts.

See also: ホトトギス

• 夏なつの夜よる、山やまから「てっぺんかけたか」というホトトギスの鳴なき声ごえが聞きこえた。

  On a summer night, I heard the call of the lesser cuckoo, 'teppenkaketaka,' from the mountain.

noun

lesser cuckoo; Cuculus poliocephalus

Refers to the bird itself, often used in contexts where its distinctive call is emphasized.

• てっぺんかけたかは、日本にほんでは夏なつ鳥どりとして知しられている。

  The lesser cuckoo is known as a summer bird in Japan.