wood duck

American  

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.

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wood duck British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of wood duck

An Americanism dating back to 1770–80

Example Sentences

But we also saved species that were headed for oblivion, including the wild turkey, the wood duck, the bald eagle and—that bane of airports and golf courses everywhere—the Canada goose.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

I was very excited because I once saw a wood duck there, which is a very beautiful kind of duck.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2022

“A very close up headshot of a handsome male wood duck, posted by the Audubon society of course.”

From Slate • Oct. 4, 2021

Behind the listener, Mr. McQuay placed the pond sounds of a wood duck and green frog; closer, and louder, are forest creatures like a pileated woodpecker, red-tailed hawk, black-capped chickadee.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2017

As I stood there, half-leg deep, picking them up, a wood duck came flying down the creek and passed over my head.

From Wake-Robin by Burroughs, John