king bird—an American tyrant flycatcher (Tyrannus carolinensis):
- If you ever saw a crow with a king bird after him, you will get an image of a dull speaker and a lively listener.
king of birds—said of the eagle:
- The strength, keen vision, graceful and powerful flight of the eagle are proverbial, and have given to him the title of the king of birds.
Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase king’s bird—(also: king bird of paradise) a bird of the genus Paradisea:
- The king’s bird is carried in the procession, and the yelling and chatting of the marketers is heard above anything.