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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 1998, as many as 1,000 birds – mostly pelicans, wading birds and raptors – died around Lake Apopka, a tragedy blamed on poisoning from the pesticides used on the muck farms. Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026 Women’s hats in the early 1900s were festooned with plumage from wading birds, many of which were killed in Florida. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026 The lizards also pose risks to endangered or threatened species, such as sea turtles, wading birds, gopher tortoises, and the American crocodile. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026 This is bad news for the species that eat crayfish — a long list that includes most wading birds and small mammals, along with alligators, turtles, bass, gar, and other gamefish. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wading bird

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wading bird was in 1840

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wading bird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wading%20bird. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

wading bird

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

More from Merriam-Webster on wading bird

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster