white-faced whistling-duck

noun

variants or white-faced whistling duck or less commonly white-faced tree duck
: a whistling-duck (Dendrocygna viduata) of the West Indies, Central and South America, and Africa that is mostly reddish brown with the throat and front part of the head white and the neck and back part of the head black
The aptly named white-faced whistling-duck (Dendocygna viduata) is often seen in large flocks …Philip Briggs, East African Wildlife, 2008

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white-faced whistling-duck was in 1866

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near white-faced whistling-duck

Cite this Entry

“White-faced whistling-duck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white-faced%20whistling-duck. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!