harlequin duck

noun

1. a small diving duck, Histrionicus histrionicus, of North America and Iceland, the male of which has bluish-gray plumage marked with black, white, and chestnut.

harlequin duck

noun

1. a northern sea duck, Histrionicus histrionicus, the male of which has a blue and red plumage with black and white markings

Word History and Origins

Origin of harlequin duck¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

The harlequin duck is a northern bird that comes but little into the United States on either coast.

From Project Gutenberg

The Harlequin Duck is the sole representative of the genus to which it belongs.

From Project Gutenberg