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American Black Duck

American Black Duck

Anas rubripes

Audubon Illustration

Audubon illustration of American Black Duck

John James Audubon, Birds of America (1827-1838). Public domain.

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Showing primary migration corridor(s) for this species

Last Spotted Near You

View on eBirdWikipedia

About the American Black Duck

The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is a large dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. It was described by William Brewster in 1902. It is the heaviest species in the genus Anas, weighing 720–1,640 g (1.6–3.6 lb) on average and measuring 54–59 cm (21–23 in) in length with an 88–95 cm (35–37 in) wingspan. It somewhat resembles the female and eclipse male mallard in coloration, but has a darker plumage. The male and female are generally similar in appearance, but the male's bill is yellow, while the female's is dull green with dark marks on the upper mandible. It is native to eastern North America. During the breeding season, it is usually found in coastal and freshwater wetlands from Saskatchewan to the Atlantic in Canada and the Great Lakes and the Adirondacks in the United States.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name
Anas rubripes
Family
Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Order
Anseriformes

Similar species

Other members of the ducks, geese, and waterfowl family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

  • American Wigeon Mareca americana
  • Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri
  • Baikal Teal Sibirionetta formosa
  • Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus
  • Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
  • Barrow's Goldeneye Bucephala islandica
  • Black Scoter Melanitta americana
  • Black Swan Cygnus atratus
  • Black-bellied Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis
  • Black-necked Swan Cygnus melancoryphus
  • Blue-billed Teal Spatula hottentota
  • Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanoptera

Know when the American Black Duck turns up near you

Add it to your watchlist and draw an alert zone around the places you actually bird. Birdr checks eBird reports and tells you when one is seen inside it.

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Gear for spotting American Black Duck

Optics

Best Binoculars for Beginners

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Spotting Scopes for Distance Birding

Essential for shorebirds, raptors, and anything too far for binoculars. Our tested picks.

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