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American Black Duck

Anas rubripes ORDER: ANSERIFORMES FAMILY: ANATIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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American Black Duck Photo

© Lang Elliott/CLO

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.

Come watch nesting birds at Nestcams.org

Appearance

Ducks
Ducks
Typical Voice

Adult 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.

Male Description

Bill olive green to yellow. Markings of chest feathers U-shaped. Eclipse plumage similar, but chest feathers without internal markings.

Female Description

Slightly paler. Bill olive to greenish-gray, with dark markings. Markings of chest feathers V-shaped.

Immature Description

Similar to adult. Underparts more heavily streaked.

Range Map Help

American Black Duck Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

Similar Species

  • Female Mallard has bold white borders to speculum, orange bill, whitish tail feathers, pale belly, and is paler overall.
  • Eclipse male Mallard has paler appearance, rusty wash on chest, and white borders to the speculum.
  • Mottled Duck has paler appearance, broader buffy edging and internal markings on the body feathers, a greenish-blue speculum with a narrow white trailing edge, and a black spot at the base of the bill at the gape.
  • Male hybrid of Mallard and American Black Duck usually has some green on the head.