wood duck

noun

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Definition of wood duck

: a showy American duck (Aix sponsa) which nests in tree cavities and the males of which have a large crest and iridescent plumage varied with green, purple, black, white, and chestnut

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Recent Examples of wood duck from the Web

In the meantime, Milfred is sharing freezer space with a wood duck, a trophy bass and a python, also in line to be taxidermied.

— stephen hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "No more jarring 'cock-a-doodle-doos,' but beloved rooster Milfred will live on, stuffed by taxidermist," 3 July 2018
Sightings Duck box surprise: Near creeks, ponds and marshes, wood duck boxes are producing this year’s crop of hatchlings.

— tom stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "First breath, first steps in little-seen wildlife world," 1 July 2018
Beechnuts are relished by wild turkeys, wood ducks, woodpeckers, black bears and deer, and their tree cavities provide nesting sites for owls and woodland mammals.

— james f. mccarty, cleveland.com, "Newly discovered microscopic worm species eyed as potential cause of beech leaf disease," 3 May 2018
The Akron Zoo is one of only about 230 zoos that are accredited to participate in the Species Survival Plan program, and works with 45 species, from Partula snails to snow leopards and white-winged wood ducks.

— laura demarco, cleveland.com, "What is on your summer bucket list?: Calling all readers," 4 May 2018
Barbara Keel Lunsford of Auburn, Ala., took second place with her painting of a pair of wood ducks.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Hunters cautioned to beware of ticks during turkey season," 15 Apr. 2018
Pairs of wood ducks will appear, males resplendent in breeding colors, and prospect for nesting locations.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fuel your outdoors dreams at the Journal Sentinel Sports Show," 2 Mar. 2018
Several species, including the wood duck and wild turkey, were in danger of going extinct.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Ryan Zinke's appearance puts spotlight on excise tax and conservation programs," 21 Mar. 2018
Lake Livingston - Guide Simon Cosper reported limits of wood ducks, gadwalls and teal.

— bink grimes, Houston Chronicle, "Outdoors report: Jan. 19," 18 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wood duck.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.