harlequin duck

American  

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.

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harlequin duck British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of harlequin duck

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

harlequin duck

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

From Game Birds and Game Fishes of the Pacific Coast by Payne, Harry Thom