ashy minivet
A species of passerine bird (Pericrocotus divaricatus). The name is a specific zoological term; in everyday contexts, the katakana form is used.
The ashy minivet is seen in Japan as a summer bird.
Kanji spelling is rare and may not be widely recognized; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
The name combines 山椒 and 食い. It is traditionally associated with the bird’s sharp call, imagined as the reaction of something that has eaten pungent Japanese pepper.