Calque ofLatinrāra avis, part of a commonly quoted line from Juvenal's Satire VI:rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno ("a bird as rare upon the earth as a black swan").
rarebird (pluralrare birds)
- Anunusual or exceptionalperson or thing.
- Synonym:rara avis
1977, “106 Beats That”, inPink Flag, performed byWire:Finds it more physical, that's an important word / Always seen first then heard / Such arare bird
2010 October 14, “Coming back to bite him”, inThe Economist:This makes him arare bird, for most Democrats running for re-election are staying mum or apologising for their votes for reform.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically:seerare,bird.
unusual or exceptional person or thing
—seerara avis
