snakebird Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun fish-eating bird of warm inland waters having a long flexible neck and slender sharp-pointed bill
    darter; anhinga.

WordNet


Snake"bird` noun
Etymology
So named from its snakelike neck.
Definitions
(Zoöl.)
  1. Any one of four species of aquatic birds of the genus Anhinga or Plotus. They are allied to the gannets and cormorants, but have very long, slender, flexible necks, and sharp bills. ✍ The American species (Anhinga, ∨ Plotus, anhinga) inhabits the Southern United States and tropical America; -- called also darter, and water turkey. The Asiatic species (A. melanogaster) is native of Southern Asia and the East Indies. Two other species inhabit Africa and Australia respectively.
  2. (Zoöl.) The wryneck.

Webster 1913