wading bird

noun

: any of an order (Ciconiiformes) of long-legged birds (such as herons, bitterns, storks, and ibises) that wade in water in search of food

Examples of wading bird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Matt Trevelyan walked 53 miles in total along a route called the Nidderdale Way—all while wearing a handmade outfit designed to look like a Eurasian curlew, the largest wading bird in Europe. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

Discover the wading birds and other aquatic birds that live in Spruce Creek Park. —Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025

Alongside wading birds like the roseate spoonbill and striated heron, visitors can also look forward to their fair share of passerines, with potential appearances from the blue-gray tanager and scrub blackbird. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Fewer people means better chances to spot wildlife like wading birds, turtles, and the odd alligator. —Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wading bird

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird

Kids Definition

wading bird

noun

: any of various long-legged birds (as herons, storks, and ibises) that wade in water in search of food