black duck

noun

1. any of several ducks having dusky or black plumage, as Anas rubripes, of the northeastern U.S. and Canada.

Word History and Origins

Origin of black duck¹

First recorded in 1630–40

Example Sentences

If such efforts to turn farmland into high-value marsh succeed, experts say paying farmers to give up soggy fields could help wetlands migrate and enhance habitat for species such as black ducks.

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Suddenly, one eagle breaks away and swoops low over the Mongaup Falls Reservoir in New York, startling a flock of black ducks that darts into the shallows.

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The hunting seasons for other ducks, including black ducks and pintails, ended earlier in the winter or fall.

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Next up, we stopped at a giant flying black duck in the town of Black Duck.

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“Any day now the black ducks come,” he said, “and the mallards. Then we will have good meat.”

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