American black duck (Anas rubripes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION

• Length: 16 inches Wingspan: 36 inches

• Large dabbling duck

• Pale gray-brown face

• Dark brown cap and eye line

• Dark brown breast, belly, back and upper wing

• Purple speculum without white borders

• Bright silvery wing linings

• Immature similar to adult

Adult male:

• Greenish-yellow bill

• Legs frequently bright red

Adult female:

• Greenish bill with black patches

• Legs generally orange

Similar species:

Female, immature and eclipse male mallards are much paler, without
contrast between head and body and with white borders to a blue
speculum. Hybrid mallard x black ducks are often seen and usually have
traces of the mallard plumage, with bluer speculum usually bordered
with white on one or both edges. Mottled duck is similar, with broader
brown edgings to upperparts and bluer speculum. Female gadwalls have
a steeper forehead, gray bill, white belly, and usually shows white in the
wing.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: Wetland-open water
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 8-10
Length of Incubation: 26-29(23-33) days
Days to Fledge: 58-63
Number of Broods: Usually 1
Diet: Mostly green plant matter, seeds; lesser quantities of aquatic
   Invertebrates, fish

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May Acc
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November Acc

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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