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.
Water managers worry that with so little water, wading birds in the upcoming nesting season could go hungry. — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 The fish has since taken out a massive portion of the crawfish, frog and small fish populations that Florida’s heralded long-legged wading birds rely on. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve gives visitors the opportunity to explore a 3,400-acre wetland ecosystem crawling with native critters like otters, turtles, alligators, and wading birds. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 Rent a tube and hop into this spring-fed jewel that stays a refreshing 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and let the flow carry you past ancient cypress trees, sunning turtles, and wading birds. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 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

Rhymes for wading bird

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Browse Nearby Words

wadi
wading bird
wading boot
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Cite this Entry

“Wading bird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wading%20bird. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wading bird

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