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Glite Dictionary
shoebird

shoebird

9.9
A large bird like a stork with a wide beak shaped like a shoe
  • noun
  • South African
translation icon : pájaro zapatero
  • Its massive bill gives the shoebird a striking and somewhat prehistoric appearance.

Examples

  • The shoebird can be found in the marshes of central tropical Africa.

  • Birdwatchers travel long distances hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive shoebird.

  • The shoebird is a fascinating species.

  • Look at that shoebird!

  • Birdwatchers travel long distances hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive shoebird.

  • Its massive bill gives the shoebird a striking and somewhat prehistoric appearance.

  • The shoebird can be found in the marshes of central tropical Africa.

Synonyms

Balaeniceps rex
vsshoebird
  • Specialized
9.9

A large swamp bird with a big shoe-shaped bill from central Africa

is the common descriptive name rather than the Latin form
shoebill
vsshoebird
  • South African
9.9

A large bird with a wide, shoe-shaped bill that lives in central tropical Africa

is specific to the White Nile valley rather than the wider region

Surface Forms

shoebird singular
shoebirds plural

Morphology

shoebird = shoe + bird (transparent) = shoe + bird

Direct compound of 'shoe' + 'bird' referring to a bird with a shoe-shaped bill; the meaning follows directly from the components.

Etymology

Shoebird is made from the simple English parts shoe and bird because its very large bill looks like a big shoe. So the name helps you picture a stork-like bird with a 'shoe-shaped' bill.