Any long-legged bird that wades in the water in search of food, especially any species of limicoline or grallatorial birds; -- called also wading bird. See Illust.g, under Aves. [1913 Webster]
wader, n.
1 a a person who wades. b a wading bird, esp. any of various birds of the order Charadriiformes.
2 (in pl.) high waterproof boots, or a waterproof garment for the legs and body, worn in fishing etc.