wood duck

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 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

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
At his 2,500-acre ranch in the Butte Sink near Colusa, for instance, Bonderson and his sons converted 1,500 acres from rice fields to wetlands, and put up 500 wood duck boxes.

— tom stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "World-champion female archer leads 4 into Outdoors Hall of Fame," 14 Jan. 2018
Beechnuts are relished by wild turkeys, wood ducks, woodpeckers, black bears and deer.

— james f. mccarty, cleveland.com, "Beech leaf disease discovered in Lake County, spreading throughout NE Ohio, PA, NY, Ontario: (photos, video)," 10 Dec. 2017
The funds have been key to the remarkable comebacks of the wild turkey and wood duck, for example, as well as paying salaries for state wildlife and fisheries biologists and purchasing materials for hunting safety classes.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Celebrate NHFD by introducing someone to hunting or fishing," 20 Sep. 2017
The restoration provides significant migration benefits for several species of waterfowl and nesting habitat for mallards, wood ducks and Canada geese.

— michigan wildlife council, Detroit Free Press, "Volunteers make a lasting impact on Michigan wildlife," 30 Oct. 2017
About 6:40 a single drake wood duck dropped over the trees and toward our decoys, but then lifted higher and out of range.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Sultry weather, moderate duck flights mark Wisconsin's north zone opener," 30 Sep. 2017

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.