射干玉ぬばたま鳥どり

noun

lesser cuckoo

Rare, poetic or classical name for the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus). In modern Japanese, the bird is almost always called ホトトギス.

See also: ホトトギス

• 古ふるい和わ歌かでは「ぬばたまどり」がホトトギスを指さすことがある。

  In old waka poetry, 'nubatamadori' can refer to the lesser cuckoo.