sheldrake

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an older name for a shelduck, especially a male bird of the genus Tadorna

   The paradise sheldrake has strongly contrasting plumage in both sexes.

2. 2
   noun

   regional or historical: a merganser, a fish-eating diving duck with a narrow serrated bill

   The local bird list used sheldrake for the red-breasted merganser.

From Middle English sheld, 'variegated or pied,' + drake, 'male duck.' Shieldrake is an obsolete spelling influenced by shield; the modern common name for birds of Tadorna is shelduck.

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