wildfowl

/ˈwaɪldfaʊl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈwaɪldfaʊl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwī(-ə)ld-ˌfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce wildfowl (audio)/ (ame, mw)

wildfowl — noun

1. any of the wild birds that hunters pursue as game, particularly ducks, geese, an

1.名詞B2
釋義

any of the wild birds that hunters pursue as game, particularly ducks, geese, and swans living near lakes, rivers, or coastal areas.

例句

Mira counted over fifty different wildfowl at the lake during the winter survey.

collocation: count wildfowl

The new conservation law protects wildfowl habitats along the river.

collocation: wildfowl habitat

同義詞
  • waterfowl

    more specific — refers only to birds that live on or near water; all waterfowl are wildfowl, but not all wildfowl are waterfowl

  • game bird

    broader category — includes upland game birds such as pheasants and grouse that do not necessarily live near water

  • fowl

    broader and more general — can include domestic chickens and turkeys, not just wild birds

反義詞
  • livestock

    domestic animals raised on a farm, as opposed to wild birds hunted in nature

  • poultry

    domesticated birds such as chickens and turkeys raised for food

用法筆記

Wildfowl is most often used as an uncountable collective noun, similar to game or livestock. When discussing individual species or types, a countable plural form (wildfowls) may appear but is far less common. The term is primarily used in hunting and wildlife conservation contexts.

常見錯誤

❌We saw many wildfowls at the pond.
✅We saw many wildfowl at the pond.
💡wildfowl is usually treated as an uncountable collective noun; the plural is usually the same as the singular.
❌I bought wildfowl at the supermarket for dinner.
✅I bought duck at the supermarket for dinner.
💡wildfowl refers to live game birds, not meat; the flesh of these birds is called game or the specific bird's name (e.g., duck, goose).