Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 21.3–23.2 in
54–59 cm - Wingspan
- 34.6–37.4 in
88–95 cm - Weight
- 25.4–57.8 oz
720–1640 g
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.
Habitat
Lake/Pond
- Breeds in a variety of wetland habitats, from salt marshes to beaver ponds, river islands, and boreal bogs.
- Winters primarily in salt water along coasts, but in a variety of freshwater areas inland.
Food
Insects
Seeds, roots, stems, grain, aquatic plants, aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and some fish.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Egg Description
- White to greenish buff.
- Condition at Hatching
- Covered in down and able to leave the nest soon after hatching.
Nest Description
Built of vegetation. Lined with down. Placed in vegetation near an edge or break in cover, sometimes on brush piles, hay rolls, or duck blinds.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Dabbler
Dabbles. Filter-feeds at surface of water. Tips-up in shallow water. Makes occasional dives in deeper water.
Conservation
Least Concern
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
Credits
- 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.