noun
Japanese grosbeak
Archaic name for the bird now usually called イカル. The kanji 斑鳩 is also well-known as a place name (Ikaruga, Nara).
See also: イカル
古い文献では、イカルのことを斑鳩と記している。
In old documents, the Japanese grosbeak is written as 斑鳩.
Modern standard name for the Japanese grosbeak; 斑鳩 is the archaic equivalent.
The origin of the reading いかるが is uncertain. The kanji 斑鳩 literally mean 'spotted dove/pigeon', but the word refers to the grosbeak.