American Black Duck

Anas rubripes

The American black duck is a dabbling duck with:

• Dark brown plumage that appears black from a distance. The head is a paler shade of brown.
• A purple wing patch.
• White linings under the wings.
• A yellow bill.
• Reddish to orange legs and feet.

Both males and females look similar, though the female has a mottled bill. Male black ducks resemble female mallards.

Black ducks grow to about 25 inches with an average wingspan of 36 inches.

Where does the black duck live?

Black ducks live in the Bay region throughout the year, through they are less common in summer. They are found along tidal rivers, bays and wetlands.

What does the black duck eat?

Black ducks feed on seeds, bay grasses and small mollusks by “tipping up” their tails to submerge their head and reach their food. They will also eat grains, nuts and corn.

What does the black duck sound like?

Black ducks sound similar to mallards: males make a “kwek-kwek” sound and females quack.

Where does the black duck nest and breed?

Black ducks start forming pairs in fall and begin nesting in mid-March in secluded marshes and dense forested wetlands. Most black duck nests are located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore (from the Chester River to Crisfield) and Virginia’s James, Potomac, Rappahannock and York rivers.

Female black ducks lay six to 12 white or greenish eggs, which hatch in 28 days. Young black ducks are ready to fly in about two months.

Other facts about the black duck:

• Black ducks are very closely related to mallards.
• Black ducks were once abundant in the Bay, with more than 200,000 wintering in the region. Today, fewer than 50,000 visit the region each winter. Scientists believe this is due to loss of food and habitat, heavy hunting pressure and interbreeding with mallards.