noun
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
夜直鳥は、ホトトギスの別名として古い文献に見られることがある。
The name 夜直鳥 sometimes appears in old texts as an alternative name for the lesser cuckoo.
ヨタダドリという呼び名は、今ではほとんど使われない。
The name ヨタダドリ is hardly used nowadays.
The common modern name for the lesser cuckoo. 夜直鳥 is a rare, literary alternative.
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.