gooneybird

(ˈɡuːnɪˌbɜːd)

(Animals) an informal name for the albatross, esp the black-footed albatross (Diomedea nigripes)

[C19 gony (originally sailors' slang), probably from dialect gooney fool, of obscure origin; compare goon¹]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

References in periodicals archive

Among the other aircraft that flew at the flypast and flying display were three Mi-17 helicopters in VIC formation carrying the National Flag and Aero India flags Dakota-DC-3, nicknamed 'Gooneybird' aircraft, MiG-21 Bison, Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) and P-8i surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

Aero India takes off with dazzling flying display

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