wood duck

noun

1. a North American duck, Aix sponsa, that nests in trees, the male of which has a long crest and black, chestnut, green, purple, and white plumage.

wood duck

noun

1. a duck, Aix sponsa, of wooded swamps, lakes, etc, in North America, having a very brightly coloured plumage in the male

Word History and Origins

Origin of wood duck¹

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

Example Sentences

The wood duck, the handsomest of all the American ducks, is not plentiful anywhere, and seems to be growing fewer in numbers.

From Project Gutenberg

One of his friends had a stuffed Wood-duck, so the 'Boy-that-wanted-to-know' drew that from a long way off.

From Project Gutenberg

Tain't an easy job for greenhorns nohow; but you take to it kinder nateral, like the wood-duck to the pond.'

From Project Gutenberg

The wood-duck is, according to strict scientific classification, a diminutive goose.

From Project Gutenberg

Give me a black or a wood duck, freshly killed, before all scrub or 'plain' turkeys in Australia.

From Project Gutenberg