1
a waterfowl
waterfowl 是可数名词，指单只水鸟时用 a waterfowl。
A waterfowl is swimming across the river.
一只水鸟正游过河面。
水鸟
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
水鸟
waterfowl
A waterfowl is swimming across the river.
一只水鸟正游过河面。
指鸭、鹅、天鹅等大部分非飞行时间在水上度过的鸟类,尤指鸭科。
Any of the birds, such as ducks, geese and swans, that spend most of their non-flying time on water; especially those of the family Anatidae.
淡水水鸟
freshwater aquatic bird
The pond attracts many waterfowls, especially in spring.
这个池塘在春天尤其吸引许多水鸟。
A waterfowl built its nest among the reeds near the shore.
一只水鸟在岸边芦苇丛中筑了巢。
Birdwatchers often come to count the waterfowls at sunrise.
观鸟者常常在日出时来清点水鸟。
waterfowl 是可数名词，指单只水鸟时用 a waterfowl。
A waterfowl is swimming across the river.
一只水鸟正游过河面。
waterfowls 是 waterfowl 的复数形式；注意词尾直接加 -s。
Waterfowls feed on small aquatic plants.
水鸟以小型水生植物为食。
Not this
There is much waterfowl in this lake.
Use this
There are many waterfowls in this lake.
waterfowl 是可数名词，不能用 much 修饰；表示多只水鸟时要用 many，并将 waterfowl 变为复数 waterfowls。
Not this
Look, waterfowl is swimming near the shore.
Use this
Look, a waterfowl is swimming near the shore.
waterfowl 作单数可数名词时前面必须加冠词 a 或 the；中文没有冠词，所以容易漏掉，这里应加 a。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
迁徙水鸟
Every spring, migratory waterfowl stop at this lake to rest.
每年春天，迁徙水鸟都会在这个湖上停留歇息。
水鸟栖息地
The park protects an important waterfowl habitat along the river.
公园保护着河沿岸一处重要的水鸟栖息地。
水鸟种群数量
The waterfowl population has increased since hunting was restricted.
自限制狩猎以来，水鸟种群数量增加了。
水鸟狩猎
Waterfowl hunting is allowed only during a short season.
水鸟狩猎只有在短暂的季节里才被允许。
水鸟物种
More than thirty waterfowl species can be seen in the refuge.
在这片保护区可以看到三十多种水鸟。
Use waterfowl naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
waterfowl 拆成 water（水）+ fowl（鸟/家禽），记住：水上的鸟就是水鸟。
语域：neutral 常见场景：野生动物保护、生态研究、新闻报道 waterfowl 意为水鸟，是中性词；实际使用中多见于书面或较正式语境，如生态保护、研究报道等，日常口语更常说 water birds。
以上单词都与 waterfowl 的 /faʊl/ 部分押韵（/aʊl/ 或 /faʊl/）。注意 waterfall /ˈwɔtərfɔːl/ 和 water /ˈwɔtər/ 虽然拼写相近，但发音为 /fɔːl/ 和 /wɔtər/，不与 -fowl /faʊl/ 押韵；foul 是 fowl 的同音词，但拼写不同。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.