Rare term for the lesser cuckoo (Cuculus poliocephalus). The common name is 時鳥 (ほととぎす).
See also: ホトトギス
The term 歌い鳥 can be found in old texts as another name for the lesser cuckoo.
Compound of 歌い (singing) and 鳥 (bird), literally 'singing bird', referring to the bird's call. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.