mandarin duck

noun

1. a crested Asian duck, Aix galericulata, having variegated purple, green, chestnut, and white plumage.

mandarin duck

noun

1. an Asian duck, Aix galericulata, the male of which has a brightly coloured and patterned plumage and crest

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandarin duck¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Rasseem added two green peacocks to his nation of birds, along with a mandarin duck.

From Literature

It is called “Fowl” — a play on the word “foul,” which was so often used to disparage the community — and has an image of a mandarin duck, which represents love and fidelity in China.

From Los Angeles Times

"The other day I was right outside the leisure centre when I shot a mandarin duck and there were lots of people around," he said.

From BBC

In 2018 a mandarin duck became a social media superstar as photos of his stunning multi-coloured feathers made every online influencer swoon.

From BBC

She followed the famed mandarin duck, or “hot duck,” a celebrity bird who earlier stirred up a frenzy among New York birders, then disappeared.

From New York Times