There are many African wading birds.
It could be an Ibis or an Egret.
Sacred Ibis
An African sacred ibis is another name for the sacred ibis, a species of wading bird in the ibis family, Latin name Threskiomis aethiopicus.
a loon
American Bittern
Ibis Egret Plover Flamingo Heron Sora
Phalarope
Phoenicopterus is another name for the wading bird, called the flamingo.
crane
Egret
African Wading Rat was created in 1907.
Yes, they have webbed feet and spend a lot of time wading and standing in water.
I'd check that "I" is definitely the fourth letter, because "egret" could be the answer.