shelduck
/ˈʃɛldʌk
/(male also sheldrake /ˈʃɛldreɪk/)
noun (plural same or shelducks)
A large goose-like Old World duck with brightly coloured plumage, typically showing black and white wings in flight.
- Genus Tadorna, family Anatidae: several species, in particular T. tadorna of Eurasian coasts, with white, greenish-black, and chestnut plumage.
- Low-level attacks against crèches of Canada geese and shelduck are another spectacle, the avocets performing highly attractive ‘butterfly’ flights.
- Dozens of humans and millions of domesticated birds have died in at least eight Asian countries so far, and now China has said the disease is killing wild bar-headed geese, cormorants, and shelducks.
Origin
Middle English (as sheldrake): probably from dialect sheld 'pied' (related to Middle Dutch schillede 'variegated') + duck1. The form shelduck dates from the early 18th century.