waterfowl
n.birds that live near water, such as ducks, geese, and swans. You use this word to describe a group of birds that swim or dive in lakes, rivers, and oceans.
n.any of various birds of the order Anseriformes, including ducks, geese, swans, and their relatives. Often used in ecological or ornithological contexts to refer to the collective group.
“The lake is home to many types of waterfowl.”
“During the winter months, large flocks of waterfowl migrate to the wetlands to find food and shelter.”
“Conservationists are working to restore the wetlands to attract native waterfowl, which have seen a significant decline in population due to urban expansion.”
“So far, the researchers have documented the presence of darters, a giant crane and several waterfowl, including the unusual Allgoviachen tortonica and a dwarf duck.”
“The white-headed duck is “one of the true eccentrics of the waterfowl world because almost everything about it seems unusual,” says waterfowl expert Nicky Petkov.”
From Middle English waterfoul, water-foul, equivalent to water + fowl. Compare Old English dopfugel (“waterfowl, moorhen”, literally “dipping-fowl”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.