waterfowl

[waw-ter-foul, wot-er-] /ˈwɔ tərˌfaʊl, ˈwɒt ər-/

noun, plural waterfowls (especially collectively) waterfowl.

a water bird, especially a swimming bird.

such birds taken collectively, especially the swans, geese, and ducks.

Origin

1250-1300; Middle English; cognate with German Wasservogel; see water, fowl

Examples from the web for waterfowl

Part of the vast central court is a turquoise reflecting pool which has no water, but is filled with frogs and graceful waterfowl.
Beautiful during the spring, the area really comes alive in the winter when migrating waterfowl sweep into the area.
For waterfowl, that could mean more birds in smaller spaces with less food.
The valley's scattered wetlands are home to eagles, waders, and waterfowl.
Some pythons prefer more exotic fare and stop in at the zoo to dine on rare waterfowl.
Wildlife agencies are re-examining some longstanding approaches to cultivating waterfowl populations.
Bring binoculars to look for migrating waterfowl and wading birds.
We are experiencing some of the best waterfowl hunting in decades.
Annually updated waterfowl hunting season information.
Duck plague is an example of an infectious disease of domestic waterfowl that has begun to infect migratory waterfowl populations.

British Dictionary definitions for waterfowl

/ˈwɔːtəˌfaʊl/

noun

any aquatic freshwater bird, esp any species of the family Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans)

such birds collectively

Word Origin and History for waterfowl

c.1300, from water (n.1) + fowl (n.). Cf. Old High German wazzarvogel, Dutch watervogel.