spoonbill

noun
spoon·​bill | \ ˈspün-ˌbil How to pronounce spoonbill (audio) \

Definition of spoonbill

1 : any of several wading birds (family Threskiornithidae) related to the ibises that have an expanded bill that is flattened and rounded at the tip
2 : any of several broad-billed ducks (such as the shoveler)

Examples of spoonbill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As word circulated that spoonbills had taken up residence in Central Florida, birders, photographers and tourists started showing up. Anders Gyllenhaal, sun-sentinel.com, "For one rare bird, flight from South Florida’s changing climate sparks a surprising revival," 29 June 2019 Despite the progress spoonbills have made, their long-term outlook is not certain, biologists say. Anders Gyllenhaal, sun-sentinel.com, "For one rare bird, flight from South Florida’s changing climate sparks a surprising revival," 29 June 2019 The spoonbill was almost as long as the fishing pole. Tyler Mahoney Special To The Star, kansascity, "Lake Jacomo fisherman happens across a monster while fishing for bass," 13 June 2018 Cody’s Guide Service reports: spoonbill – continues to be excellent and have boated over 500 fish this year. Tyler Mahoney, kansascity, "Fishing report: Better prospects ahead following last week's cold front," 18 Apr. 2018 Not knowing there were spoonbill in the lake, Delgado decided to do some Google searching and stumbled upon a decades-old story from the Independence Examiner. Tyler Mahoney Special To The Star, kansascity, "Lake Jacomo fisherman happens across a monster while fishing for bass," 13 June 2018 Privacy - Terms The large pink wader’s appearance also highlights the beginning of the annual post-breeding dispersal of southern herons, egrets, spoonbills, and storks north into the piedmont of the Carolinas. Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, "Another rarity shows up: A roseate spoonbill," 30 May 2018 Cody’s Guide Service reports: spoonbill continues to be excellent. Tyler Mahoney Special To The Star Tyler Mahoney,, kansascity, "Fishing report: Things have been slow because of weather | The Kansas City Star," 11 Apr. 2018 Up until the ‘90s, the spoonbill regularly nested in Florida Bay, Tampa Bay and Indian River Lagoon, with their northern boundary around Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral and Tampa Bay. Jenny Staletovich, miamiherald, "Record rain led to bonanza year for Florida’s wading birds. Just not in the right places | Miami Herald," 29 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spoonbill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of spoonbill

circa 1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for spoonbill

spoonbill

noun
spoon·​bill | \ ˈspün-ˌbil How to pronounce spoonbill (audio) \

Kids Definition of spoonbill

: a wading bird having a bill which widens and flattens at the tip