spoonbill
spoonbill Lexical Profile
spoonbill Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of several large, long-legged wading birds of the family Threskiornithidae, characterized by a long, flat bill that broadens at the tip into a spoon-like shape, found in marshes and wetlands worldwide.
"The vibrant pink plumage of the roseate spoonbill makes it one of the most striking birds to observe in the Florida Everglades."
North American A large, primitive freshwater fish of the family Polyodontidae, characterized by an elongated, paddle-like snout, native to the Mississippi River basin.
"Anglers along the Missouri River occasionally catch the spoonbill, a prehistoric-looking fish highly prized for its roe."
Word Nuance & Usage
While most commonly referring to the long-legged wading bird, 'spoonbill' is also used colloquially by North American anglers to describe the paddlefish.
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the 1660s, formed as a compound of 'spoon' and 'bill', directly referencing the distinctive, spatulate shape of the bird's beak.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.