water bird

an aquatic bird; a swimming or wading bird.

Origin of water bird

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

He was still talking to Whitewing about her when a peculiar whistle was heard outside, as of some water-bird.

The Prairie Chief |R.M. Ballantyne
It is essentially a water-bird, and on shore is both slow and awkward.

On the Trail |Lina Beard and Adelia Belle Beard
A name of the water-bird also called sand-lark or sand-piper.

The Sailor's Word-Book |William Henry Smyth
The cry of a water-bird broke shrilly on the silence of the night, and made us feel less lonely.

Trans-Himalaya, Vol. 2 (of 2) |Sven Hedin

From a lake, curled in a hollow like a patch of smoke, came the cry of a water-bird.

Villa Rubein and Other Stories |John Galsworthy

water bird

any aquatic bird, including the wading and swimming birds