songbird

[ sawng-burd, song- ]

/ ˈsɔŋˌbɜrd, ˈsɒŋ- /

a bird that sings.

any passerine bird of the suborder Oscines.

Slang. a woman vocalist.

Origin of songbird

First recorded in 1765–75; song + bird

This was the second instance in which I have observed a song-bird with apparently some organic defect in its instrument.

Locusts and Wild Honey |John Burroughs
Facing him sat the Milanese song-bird, the singer Antonia Castinelli.

Foes |Mary Johnston
Sometimes I do go for a Song-bird or a Robin, but only when they come too near my nest.

Birds Illustrated by Colour Photography, Vol II. No. 4, October, 1897 |Various
This song-bird was not allowed to pipe out its heart unheard and then be paid with the cold pomp of a big funeral.

The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories |Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

Sir Poet, with the rusty coat, Quit mocking of the song-bird's note.

The Book of Humorous Verse |Various

songbird

/ (ˈsɒŋˌbɜːd) /

any passerine bird of the suborder Oscines, having highly developed vocal organs and, in most, a musical call Related adjective: oscine

any bird having a musical call