Waterbird

A bird ecologically associated with aquatic habitats, including freshwater, coastal, or marine environments. Waterbirds obtain food, shelter, or breeding sites from water or its edges.

Webbed feet: Feet with skin joining some or all toes, aiding propulsion through water. Many waterbirds use webbing to swim or paddle efficiently.
Waterbird census: A systematic count of waterbirds used to estimate distribution, abundance, and population change. Repeated counts reveal changes in populations across wetlands and flyways.
Anatidae: The bird family containing ducks, geese, and swans. Its members include familiar waterbirds adapted to varied freshwater and coastal habitats.
Terrestrial bird: A bird whose ecology is primarily associated with land rather than aquatic habitats. It contrasts with waterbirds in habitat use and dependence on aquatic resources.
Trophic cascade: A chain of indirect effects across food-web levels caused by changes in predators or consumers. Waterbird feeding can alter prey populations and affect lower food-web levels.
Waterproofing in birds: Feather properties and preening behaviors that limit water penetration and preserve insulation. Waterproof plumage helps aquatic birds stay insulated and buoyant.
Ramsar Convention: An international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Its wetland protections often target habitats used by waterbirds.
Heron: A long-legged wading bird in the family Ardeidae. Herons illustrate how shallow-water hunters capture fish and other prey.
Seabird: A bird ecologically dependent on marine environments for much of its life. Seabirds are a marine-associated subset within the broader waterbird grouping.
Nutrient cycling: The movement and transformation of nutrients through organisms and environmental compartments. Bird colonies can transfer nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

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