sheldrake

American  

[shel-dreyk] / ˈʃɛlˌdreɪk /

noun

plural

sheldrakes,

plural

sheldrake

1. any of several Old World ducks of the genus Tadorna, certain species of which have highly variegated plumage.

2. any of various other ducks, especially the goosander or merganser.

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Etymology

Origin of sheldrake

1275–1325; Middle English sheldedrake, equivalent to sheld particolored + drake drake ¹

Example Sentences

The ruddy sheldrake, or Brahminy, is found all over Tibet, and will be associated with the memory of nearly every march and camping-ground.

From The Unveiling of Lhasa by Candler, Edmund

In the case of the sheldrake, the exaggerated size may be an effect of strong sunlight on a flying white object.

From Birds and Man by Hudson, W. H. (William Henry)

The sheldrake ducks also have a fleshy growth on the bill.

From The Log of the Sun A Chronicle of Nature's Year by Beebe, William

In America the name "sheldrake" is applied erroneously to the fish-eating mergansers, and much confusion has thus arisen, for the two are quite unrelated and belong to perfectly distinct groups.

From Camps and Trails in China A Narrative of Exploration, Adventure, and Sport in Little-Known China by Andrews, Roy Chapman

The tame bird is no bigger than a domestic duck; the wild sheldrake, flying about in the strong sunshine, looks almost as large as a goose.

From Birds and Man by Hudson, W. H. (William Henry)