American Black Duck
Waterfowl Identification
The Black Duck, Anas rubripes, is primarily found in Eastern North America. Its size, body structure and flight characteristics closely resemble the Mallard.
The Black Duck is dusky brown with a paler head. The drake and hen look very similar except for their bills. The drake's bill is greenish yellow while the hen's bill is an olive green. Both sexes have a dark blue wing patch and a white under wing visible in flight. They both have a dark eye line.
A bird of the eastern States, primarily the Atlantic Flyway and, to a lesser extent, the Mississippi. Shy and wary, regarded as the wariest of all ducks.
Often seen in company of mallards, but along the Atlantic coast frequents the salt marshes and ocean much more than mallards. Flight is swift, usually in small flocks. White wing lining in contrast to very dark body plumage is a good identification clue.
Length: 24"
Weight: 2 3/4 lbs.
Photos
Similar Species
In Flight
Sounds
The hen's quack and the drake's kwek-kwek are duplicates of the mallards.