Black"bird (blak"bərd), n. (Zoöl.)

In England, a species of thrush (Turdus merula), a singing bird with a fin note; the merle. In America the name is given to several birds, as the Quiscalus versicolor, or crow blackbird; the Agelæus phœniceus, or red-winged blackbird; the cowbird; the rusty grackle, etc. See Redwing.

© Webster 1913

Black"bird, n.

1.

Among slavers and pirates, a negro or Polynesian. [Cant]

2.

A native of any of the islands near Queensland; -- called also Kanaka. [Australia]

© Webster 1913