waterbird

noun

wa·​ter·​bird ˈwȯ-tər-ˌbərd How to pronounce waterbird (audio)
ˈwä-
: a swimming or wading bird

Examples of waterbird in a Sentence

gulls, ducks, and other waterbirds
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Many of these waterbirds are migratory, traveling from as far afield as Siberia and Japan. Bianca Nogrady, WIRED, 19 Mar. 2024 Midwestern birders are rejoicing after a rare and conspicuous waterbird touched down in Wisconsin. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2023 The Okavango becomes a network of emerald-green islands and narrow channels filled with hippos, fish, and waterbirds. Jeffrey Gettleman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2023 When an infected waterbird dies, a raptor may make a meal of it and become infected in the process. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 May 2022 Back at the harbor, another small waterbird — an eared grebe — was released alongside the ruddy duck Wednesday. Robin Estrin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2021 While patrolling the beach on September 5, observing terns, the 18-year-old spotted what initially looked like a great blue heron, a waterbird commonly seen there. Maureen Seaberg and Douglas Main, National Geographic, 21 Sep. 2020 This is in part because of the management strategy in place for protecting nesting and breeding areas for waterfowl, shorebirds and waterbirds. Joseph Albanese, Outdoor Life, 9 Mar. 2020 The shells also provided a home for invertebrates to colonize—a bobbing waterbird buffet. Priyanka Runwal, Scientific American, 4 Mar. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of waterbird was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near waterbird

Cite this Entry

“Waterbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterbird. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

waterbird

noun
wa·​ter·​bird ˈwȯt-ər-ˌbərd How to pronounce waterbird (audio)
: a swimming or wading bird
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