Spoonbill
/ˈspuːnˌbɪl/noun
A wading bird with a long, flat, spatulate bill.
Did you know?Spoonbill is a transparent compound: English speakers simply named the bird for the exact shape of its bill, a classic example of how everyday language turns anatomy into instant visual magic.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
spōn
“A chip, splinter, or spoon-shaped piece of wood; later the utensil name developed from this shape.”
Old English
OE
bill
“A pointed beak or beak-like projection.”
Middle English
English
spoonbill
“A bird with a spoon-shaped bill.”
Modern English
English
spoonbill
“A wading bird of the genus Platalea, named for its broad, flat bill.”