greenshank

American  

[green-shangk] / ˈgrinˌʃæŋk /

noun

1. an Old World shore bird, Tringa nebularia, having green legs.

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greenshank British  

/ ˈɡriːnˌʃæŋk /

noun

1. a large European sandpiper, Tringa nebularia, with greenish legs and a slightly upturned bill

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Etymology

Origin of greenshank

First recorded in 1760–70; green + shank

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

greenshank

Birdwatcher Tony Paintin said: "It was quite a striking bird, about the size of a greenshank and it's got very long yellow legs."

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

He adds: "In the spring when the greenshank and golden plover are singing, it's a fantastic place."

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2023

Esau landed on the marsh at the head of the lake, to try and circumvent some duck he had descried; in this he failed, but shot a greenshank, of which there were several flying about.

From Three in Norway by Two of Them by Clutterbuck, Walter J.

We kept to our plan of going to Besse Sæter, starting as soon as John had finished his lunch, and got several teal and a greenshank on the way.

From Three in Norway by Two of Them by Clutterbuck, Walter J.

In North America it is represented by two species, Totanus semipalmatus and T. melanoleucus, there called willets, telltales or tattlers, which in general habits resemble the greenshank of the Old World.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 5 "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" by Various