Definitions

1. noun

A bird of the family Anatidae, particularly the Mergus octosetaceus, that dives from a great height to catch fish in its beak.

“The snakebird dived from the sky, its feathers a blur as it struck the water.”

2. noun

A colloquial or poetic name for the merganser, a fish-eating duck.

“In some parts of the world, the merganser is known as the snakebird, due to its unique feeding behavior.”