American Black Duck
Male - The American Black Duck's plumage resembles the female Mallard but is slightly darker. The body is dark brown while the head and neck is a lighter brown, a dark stripe through the dark eye, a yellow beak, the speculum is iridescent violet-blue with black margins, whitish underwings, and orange-red legs and feet.
Female - The female is very similar to the male but has a dull green beak and olive coloured legs and feet.
Eclipse - The male in eclipse plumage has a darker streaked head and neck.
Size: - Typical Adult is 53-58cm (21-23in).
Food: - Aquatic plants, seeds, roots, molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.
Habitat/Range: - Wetlands, marshes, lakes, ponds, and rivers in north-eastern North America. They winter further south in south-eastern North America via the Atlantic Coast or Mississippi Valley.
Breeding Season: - From March to early May.
Eggs: - 6 to 14 (creamy-white or greenish-buff colour).
Notes: - The American Black Duck is a large dabbling duck of eastern North America. They are similar to the Mallard which is a close relative, and which they interbreed with regularly. This was the most abundant duck in eastern North America but has declined since the 1950s due to habitat loss, hunting, and hybridisation.
Conservation status (IUCN 3.1):
Classification: - Family: Anatidae,
Subfamily: Anatinae, Genus: Anas.
A-B C-F G-L M-R S-Z
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