ExploreBirds

American Black Duck

Anas rubripes

The American Black Duck is a beautiful bird with dark feathers and a friendly quack! They love to swim in ponds and lakes, looking for tasty plants and insects to eat.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The American Black Duck is a dark-bodied duck with a lighter, brownish-tan head and a yellowish-orange bill. Its unique purplish-blue wing patch (speculum) has distinct black borders, making it visually distinct from the brighter Mallard.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderAnseriformesFamilyAnatidaeGenusAnas
American Black Duck
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American Black Duck

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Female black ducks often reuse the very same nesting spot year after year!

Their dark feathers help them stay warm by absorbing more sunlight in cold weather!

They can cross-breed with Mallards, creating unique "hybrid" ducklings!

Unlike many birds, they only shed their flight feathers once a year, usually in summer!

Special abilities

Ability

Stealthy Dabbler

American Black Ducks can quietly forage by dabbling or tipping their bodies in shallow water, letting them find food unnoticed.

Ability

Winter Survivor

American Black Ducks have dense feathers and a fat layer that keeps them warm, allowing them to stay in icy northern waters.

Ability

Quick Escape Artist

American Black Ducks can spring vertically into flight from water or land, which helps them quickly escape from predators.

Measurements & details

Length
50-60 cm
Wingspan
85-95 cm
Weight
0.7-1.6 kg
Lifespan
10-15 years
Top Speed
88 km/h
Clutch Size
6-14
Incubation
26-30 days
Migration Distance
1000 km

Diet & Feeding

They eat a mix of plants and small animals found in the water and on land.

Age differences: Young ducklings eat more insects and invertebrates for growth.

Primary Foods

  • Seeds
  • Aquatic plants
  • Insects
  • Small crustaceans
  • Mollusks
  • Small fish

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch ducks from a distance and don’t feed them bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is American Black Duck?

50-60 cm

What is American Black Duck's wingspan?

85-95 cm

How much does American Black Duck weigh?

0.7-1.6 kg

How long does American Black Duck live?

10-15 years

How fast can American Black Duck move?

88 km/h

What does American Black Duck eat?

They eat a mix of plants and small animals found in the water and on land.

Where is American Black Duck usually found?

Wetlands

How does American Black Duck hunt?

Foraging

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Where to spot

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