I'm the part of the bird that's not in the sky. I can swim in the ocean and yet remain dry. What am I?

Why this works

This riddle plays with the concept of a "shadow." The first part, "the part of the bird that's not in the sky," suggests that a shadow is the silhouette created by the bird, indicating its presence on the ground rather than in the air. The second part, "I can swim in the ocean and yet remain dry," cleverly points out that shadows can appear on the surface of water while not being affected by it—they don’t get wet because they are merely an absence of light. The riddle invites you to think beyond literal interpretations, showcasing the playful nature of language and imagery.