Rare term for the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus). The more common name is 時鳥 (ほととぎす).
See also: ホトトギス
The term 賤鳥 sometimes appears in old texts as another name for the lesser cuckoo.
The kanji 賤 (lowly, humble) and 鳥 (bird) combine to form a rare name for the lesser cuckoo. The exact origin is uncertain, but it may reflect an old poetic or folk name.