Rare term for the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus), a bird known for its distinctive call. More commonly referred to as ホトトギス.
See also: ホトトギス
The name 夜直鳥 sometimes appears in old texts as an alternative name for the lesser cuckoo.
The name ヨタダドリ is hardly used nowadays.
Rare kanji spelling for the lesser cuckoo; the reading is not obvious from the characters.
Katakana spelling, often used for bird names in field guides.
The kanji 夜 (night), 直 (direct), and 鳥 (bird) suggest a bird associated with the night, possibly from its nocturnal singing. The exact derivation is uncertain.