American Black Duck

American Black Duck male

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American Black Duck female

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A duck of the Northeast, the American Black Duck shows clear affinities with the Mallard. Populations declined precipitously in the mid-20th century, but the combined conservation efforts of the United States and Canada may have the numbers on the rise.

Description

• Large dabbling duck.
• Body dark blackish-brown.
• Head and neck lighter brown.
• Legs and feet red.
• White underwing linings contrast sharply with dark body in flight.

• Size: 54-59 cm (21-23 in)
• Wingspan: 88-95 cm (35-37 in)
• Weight: 720-1640 g (25.42-57.89 ounces)

Sex Differences

Male slightly larger, bill colors of males and females differ.

Sound

A raspy "quack."

Conservation Status

American Black Duck numbers declined significantly in mid 20th century. Hunting was restricted in 1983, and populations stabilized and then started to increase. The United States and Canada started the Black Duck Joint Venture to try to restore the populations.

Other Names

Canard noir (French)
Ánade sombrio americano (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The American Black Duck occasionally strays from its normal range. One female banded in New Brunswick, Canada turned up in France.

• The American Black Duck has suffered somewhat from the introduction of captive-raised Mallards into its breeding range. The species hybridize (interbreed), and the Mallard may take over some breeding spots from the black duck. Still, the black duck seems to be holding its own in most of its range.

Sources used to construct this page:

Longcore, J. R., D. G. McAuley, G. R. Hepp, and J. M. Rhymer. 2000. American Black Duck (Anas rubripes). In The Birds of North America, No. 481 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.