filter feeder

This term is primarily used in biological and ecological contexts to describe a specific feeding strategy. It carries a neutral, scientific connotation and is used to categorize a wide range of organisms, from microscopic zooplankton to massive baleen whales, based on their method of nutrient acquisition.

Because it is a compound noun describing a biological role, it is used as a countable noun. When referring to the general biological process or the group as a whole, it follows standard English pluralization rules.