boatbill

[ boht-bil ]

noun

1. a wading bird, Cochlearius cochlearius, of tropical America, related to the herons, having a broad bill resembling an inverted boat.

boatbill

/ ˈbəʊtˌbɪl /

noun

1. a nocturnal tropical American wading bird, Cochlearius cochlearius , similar to the night herons but with a broad flattened bill: family Ardeidae , order Ciconiiformes

Word History and Origins

Origin of boatbill¹

First recorded in 1770–80; boat + bill ²

Example Sentences

Bonaparte regards it as intermediate between the pelican and the boatbill.

From Project Gutenberg

Whoever has once set eyes on the Boatbill or Savacou (Fig. 140) will never forget the bird, or confound it with any other.

From Project Gutenberg

If we listen to Reinhurdt, we must place it, not alongside of the boatbill, but alongside of the African genus Scopus.

From Project Gutenberg