Definition:
(noun) A type of small diving duck with a spiky, stiff tail often held upright, even vertical, in display. These wary ducks will use their tails as a rudder to steer when swimming underwater, which makes them exceptionally agile swimmers. Other physical features of stifftails include round bodies and relatively short wings.
Species of stifftail ducks include the Maccoa, masked, musk, blue-billed and ruddy ducks.
Photo – Ruddy Duck © Keven Law
Pronunciation:
STIFF-tale
Common Misspellings:
Stiff Tail
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