whistling duck

American  

noun

1. any of several long-legged, chiefly tropical ducks of the genus Dendrocygna, most of which have whistling cries.

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Etymology

Origin of whistling duck

First recorded in 1690–1700

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

whistling duck

The black-bellied whistling duck, the Swainson's warbler, the pileated woodpecker, the Caspian tern, the chachalaca and the dickcissel were all sighted, and all, says Peterson, were "old friends either by sight or sound."

From Time Magazine Archive

In many places its waters had overflowed the banks, expanding into clay-pans and lagoons of beautiful clear water where teal and whistling duck disported themselves.

From Spinifex and Sand by David Wynford Carnegie

But the whistling duck was a crested one, sir, and you will understand that I deliberated no longer.

From The Magic Skin by Ellen Marriage

The whistling duck of the Adelaide River, was also only seen on this part of the Victoria.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2 Discoveries in Australia; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in The Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners Of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits To the Islands in the Arafura Sea by John Lort Stokes

The whistling duck, so called because of the whistling noise made with its wings when flying, was shot here, and a grey parrot was caught alive.

From The Logbooks of the Lady Nelson With the journal of her first commander Lieutenant James Grant by Ida Lee