They often flock with the ubiquitous Mallard, where they look quite similar to female Mallards. Because of its wary nature and evasive habits, the species is especially prized by waterfowl hunters. About the same size as a Mallard; slightly larger than a Gadwall. In flight, the underwings are bright white. “Thanks to help from our friends at ABC, we are now able to guide conservation on the ground for this important waterfowl species,” said Aimee Weldon, ACJV Coordinator. ABC helps support habitat conservation work for American Black Ducks through the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture (ACJV). But take a second look through a group of brown ducks to notice the dark chocolate-brown flanks, pale grayish face, and olive-yellow bill of an American Black Duck. While the Black Duck has declined, the Mallard population has increased. While the male Black Duck could be mistaken for a very dark female Mallard at first glance, several clues make clear that it's a distinctive bird. They do more than dabble in the water, though. Stricter laws have reduced the number taken by hunters from about 800,000 in the 1960s and 1970s to closer to 100,000 today. With the clearing of forest, it has steadily lost ground to spreading populations of Mallards. Often flocks with other ducks, especially Mallards. american black duck in flight in the early morning light at harns marsh near lehigh acres, fort myers, southwest, florida - american black duck stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. This sleek duck of northeastern forest lakes and coastal marshes has suffered a long, persistent decline for over a century—largely owing to over-hunting as well as hybridization with its close relative, the Mallard, which has spread into the Northeast following the clearing of forest, and with the decline of the American Black Duck has replaced it in many locations. Identification. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. The American Black Duck is a considered a "dabbling" duck species due to its habit of feeding at or just below the water's surface, where it consumes aquatic plants and small invertebrates. Dark brown body contrasting with a pale brown head and yellow bill. Black Ducks are excellent swimmers and will dive if necessary to escape from predators. American Black Duck. These are dabbling ducks that tip up instead of dive when they forage. POWERED BY MERLIN. call. They often flock with the ubiquitous Mallard, where they look quite similar to female Mallards. BIRD OF THE WEEK: September 14, 2018 SCIENTIFIC NAME: Anas rubripes POPULATION: About 1 million TREND: Decreasing HABITAT: Breeds in a variety of fresh and brackish wetlands; winters in coastal salt marshes and inland wetland habitats, The American Black Duck isn't actually black. They eat aquatic plants, invertebrates, and occasionally small fish in shallow water. Like other water birds such as Trumpeter Swan, it's susceptible to lead poisoning from spent lead shot, ingested while the birds forage in wetlands. Numbers of this shy but common duck declined sharply in the … The American Black Duck hides in plain sight in shallow wetlands of eastern North America. The American Black Duck hides in plain sight in shallow wetlands of eastern North America. Search. But take a second look through a group of brown ducks to notice the dark chocolate-brown flanks, pale grayish face, and olive-yellow bill of an American Black Duck. With ABC support, the Joint Venture has developed a map-based habitat priorization tool that identifies the acres of wintering habitat that should be restored, protected, or maintained to ensure a healthy population of Black Ducks. Numbers of this shy but common duck declined sharply in the … Nearly identical to Mallard in size and shape. Females tend to be slightly paler than males, with duller olive bills. But numbers of Black Duck have decreased, with the North American Breeding Bird Survey recording a decline of about 84 percent between 1966 and 2014. The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. On land, the ducks also forage for seeds, grasses, and grains. Once the American Black Duck was a familiar sight along the Atlantic Flyway, a broad migratory path following the east coast of North America used by hundreds of bird species, ranging from Black Skimmer to Black-throated Blue Warbler. Anas rubripes. A closer look reveals that its plumage is a medley of dark brown, beige, and tan that gives it the folk name "Dusky Duck.". Dark brown body contrasting with a pale brown head and dull olive bill. The secondaries (speculum) are iridescent purple without white borders. They have rounded heads, thick bills, and bulky bodies. Favorites. Finden Sie hochwertige Fotos, die Sie anderswo vergeblich suchen. American black duck. See more images of this species in Macaulay Library. American Black Ducks have very dark brown bodies with pale gray-brown heads and yellow-green bills. Other ducks, geese and swans. Its reddish-orange legs and feet account for the species name rubripes (Latin for “red foot”). Our site uses cookies to collect anonymous information about your use of our website. One reason for American Black Duck declines is competition and hybridization with the closely related Mallard. American wigeon. A close relative of the Mallard, the Black Duck is better adapted to wooded country. They dabble at the water's surface and tip-up at edges of wetlands to feed on aquatic plants and invertebrates. The Black Duck has a dark brown body contrasting with a pale brown head and yellow bill, as compared to the female Mallard's paler body and orange-and-black bill. Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family:Anatidae). Sign in to see your badges. In flight shows dark bluish-purple secondaries bordered by black. Black scoter. This coalition of local, regional, and national partners protects important habitat for this duck and other species such as Black Rail and Saltmarsh Sparrow through habitat restoration and land acquisition projects.