noun
- plural of rainbird; birds believed to call before or during rain, especially certain cuckoos
Usage: regional; folk belief
Examples
- The old farmers said the rainbirds were calling, so they expected a storm.
- Yellow-billed cuckoos are sometimes called rainbirds in rural areas.
- When the rainbirds start their chorus, it’s time to bring in the laundry.
- Grandmother always listened for the rainbirds before planning outdoor work.
- The children learned to recognize the distinctive call of the rainbirds.
- Local folklore claims rainbirds can predict weather better than meteorologists.