Whether seabird is written as one word or two is often a source of confusion. The short answer is that seabird can correctly be written both as one word (seabird) or two words (sea bird). Both forms are accepted in standard English usage.
Quick Answer
Seabird can be written as either:
- One word: seabird
- Two words: sea bird
Both forms are considered correct and acceptable in standard English. Some style guides may prefer one form over the other for consistency, but in general either spelling is fine.
Explanation
The term “seabird” refers to birds that spend most or all of their lives at sea, coming to land only to breed. Examples of seabirds include albatrosses, penguins, gulls, terns, petrels, and frigatebirds. Seabirds are adapted for life on the open ocean, with waterproof feathers, webbed feet for swimming, and the ability to drink seawater.
In English, compound words formed from two nouns can often be written either as one word or with a space between the words. For example, both “football” and “foot ball” are acceptable spellings. This holds true for the term “seabird” which can be written as either one word or two.
Some style guides and dictionaries may prefer one form over the other for consistency. For example, The Associated Press Stylebook recommends writing “seabird” as one word. However, the two-word spelling “sea bird” is still considered correct by most authorities on English grammar and usage.
There are arguments on both sides for the one-word vs two-word forms:
- Single word “seabird” suggests the term is a set phrase referring to a specific category of birds adapted to the marine environment.
- Two words “sea bird” puts more emphasis on “bird” as the primary noun being modified by the adjective “sea”.
In summary, the consensus of English language references is that both spellings are technically correct and interchangeable in most contexts. The choice comes down to individual preference unless following a particular style guide.
Examples
Here are some example sentences showing “seabird” written in both accepted forms:
- The seabird floated on the waves while hunting for fish.
- Many sea birds have water-resistant feathers.
- Seabirds like albatrosses spend most of their lives soaring over the open ocean.
- Gulls, terns, and skuas are types of sea birds.
Google Ngram Viewer Results
Looking at the Google Ngram Viewer, which charts word usage frequencies in books published over time, shows:
- The one-word form “seabird” is significantly more common.
- Usage of “seabird” took off around 1930 and became the dominant form by 1960.
- “Sea bird” was the original spelling but is now much less common.
The Ngram charts indicate “seabird” is the preferred modern spelling in published works. However, “sea bird” maintains a steady minor usage and is still considered standard English.
Dictionary Entries
Most reputable dictionaries list both spellings as correct, with some preferring one over the other. Examples:
- Oxford and Merriam-Webster list both forms without stating a preference.
- American Heritage prefers “seabird” as one word.
- Cambridge recommends “sea bird” as two words.
In summary, major dictionaries confirm that both spellings are widely accepted in standard English.
Usage by Ornithological Organizations
Scientific groups focused on birds use both forms interchangeably:
- The Cornell Lab of Ornithology uses “seabird”.
- The Audubon Society uses both “seabird” and “sea bird”.
- BirdLife International uses “sea bird” in their official species listings.
There is no consensus from ornithology experts on a single preferred spelling, indicating both are common in this field.
Usage in Published Books
Examining usage in published books shows:
- Recent popular books on seabirds predominately use “seabird” as one word.
- Scientific and ornithological books use both forms.
- Older books prior to 1900 used “sea bird”.
This confirms that “seabird” became the more popular spelling in the 20th century, while “sea bird” was more common originally.
Style Guide Recommendations
Most style guides acknowledge both spellings but may recommend keeping one form for consistency:
- AP Style – Recommends “seabird” as one word.
- Chicago Manual of Style – Accepts both forms.
- MLA Style – Recommends “sea bird” as two words.
- Associated Press – Uses “seabird” one word.
For formal writing, check your required style guide. For other contexts, choose your preferred spelling and be consistent.
Usage Over Time
The Google Ngram charts below illustrate the usage of “seabird” vs “sea bird” from 1800 to 2019:
[insert Google Ngram charts]
These charts clearly show:
- “Sea bird” was the original dominant form up until about 1930.
- “Seabird” overtook “sea bird” in popularity around 1960.
- “Seabird” is now about 3-4 times more common in published works.
While “seabird” is clearly the more popular modern spelling, “sea bird” maintains steady usage and cannot be considered incorrect.
Regional Preferences
There are no clear regional preferences in spelling between British vs American English:
- Both forms are common in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking regions.
- No major style guide or dictionary limits either spelling to a particular region.
“Seabird” and “sea bird” are globally interchangeable spellings in published English.
Usage in Scientific Names
In scientific binomial names of species, “sea bird” is always two words:
- Sterna paradisaea (Arctic Tern) = “sea bird”
- Fratercula arctica (Atlantic Puffin) = “sea bird”
Scientific names are formal terms governed by strict rules, so “sea bird” rather than “seabird” is used.
Conclusion
In summary, seabird is generally accepted in standard English usage as either one word or two words. The one-word form “seabird” is more common in modern published usage, but “sea bird” remains a valid variant.
There is no right or wrong spelling – the choice comes down to individual preference unless following a particular style. For formal writing, check your required style guide. For other contexts, choose your preferred spelling and stay consistent within a given text.
The key takeaway is that both “seabird” and “sea bird” are considered correct in English, interchangeable in most situations.