stilt-bird

A stilt-bird wades through shallow water on its long, thin legs.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A wading bird of the genus Himantopus: "stilt-bird" refers to any of several species of long-legged wading birds, characterized by their very long, slender legs (like stilts) and a thin, straight bill. They are commonly found in marshes, mudflats, and shallow waters.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The stilt-bird waded gracefully through the shallow lagoon, its long legs barely disturbing the water. (Describing the bird's movement in its habitat.)
  • Ornithologists observed a flock of stilt-birds nesting near the salt flats. (Scientists watched these birds in a specific environment.)

Advanced Usage

• "stilt-bird" as a synonym for "stilt": In ornithological contexts, the term "stilt-bird" is sometimes used interchangeably with "stilt" to refer to the same group of birds.
  • The black-winged stilt-bird is a common sight in tropical wetlands. (Referring to a specific species.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stilt (n): a long, slender support used to raise a person above the ground; also a shortened form for stilt-bird.

  • The circus performer walked on stilts. (The supports for height.)
  • The stilt is a wading bird with extremely long legs. (The bird itself.)

• Stilt-plover (n): an alternative name for the stilt-bird, emphasizing its plover-like appearance.

  • The stilt-plover is known for its delicate foraging behavior. (A less common term.)

Synonyms

• Stilt: a direct synonym for stilt-bird.
• Wading bird: a broader category of birds that includes stilt-birds, herons, and egrets.
• Shorebird: a general term for birds that live along coastlines and wetlands.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms