seabird

American  

[see-burd] / ˈsiˌbɜrd /

Or sea bird

noun

1. a bird frequenting the sea or coast.

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Etymology

Origin of seabird

First recorded in 1580–90; sea + bird

Explanation

A seabird is any bird that lives most of its life near the sea (makes sense, right?). Gulls are one of the most common types of seabird. When you go to the beach, you're bound to sea at least some seabirds. The big gray and white seabirds that try to steal your lunch are gulls, and the tiny seabirds that look like wind-up toys running in a group along the tideline may be plovers. Most seabirds nest in large colonies, and most of them are also migratory, meaning they travel many miles during the course of a year, often circumnavigating the entire planet.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

seabird

To address the threat of predators, seabird conservation organizations such as Friends of Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge have joined with state and federal wildlife agencies over the years to support rigorous rat-eradication programs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

"What we do know is that this is a coastal seabird that has an overlapping coastal range with migratory sea birds that have previously tested positive for H5."

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

The report said alternative solutions such as heavier nets had proven effective in reducing seabird deaths, while weighted ropes in Scotland had lowered the number whales being caught in fishing gear.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

It says something about Diamond’s heat in the wake of “Hot August Night” that he scored a Top 40 hit with a song from a movie about an intrepid seabird.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

Amari looked up at a seabird flying above and remembered her little brother.

From "Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper