wood duck

noun

|Updated on: 12 May 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

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
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

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.