https://doi.org/10.2173/ebirdst.2019, Certain products may be unavailable due to insufficient data. . This preserved habitat is especially important for black ducks since the species is suffering from loss of breeding and wintering grounds throughout their range. Often rests on low snags above water, and may perch high in dead trees. They often flock with the ubiquitous Mallard, where they look quite similar to female Mallards. The American Black Duck is a common migrant and winter resident across Tennessee, with just a few scattered breeding pairs in the state.. Estimated for 2019. Most American Black Ducks raise only one brood per season, but in southern portions of their breeding range they may raise two or more. Unfortunately, the American black duck has become a rare sight in Kansas, due largely to competition and hybridization with the mallard. The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is an iconic species of East coast marshes from New York to Virginia. American Black Duck Anas rubripes. Vocalizations. It has a pale brown head with a black streak through the eyes. This map depicts the range boundary, defined as the areas where the species is estimated to occur at a rate of 5% or more for at least one week within each season. Nearly identical to Mallard in size and shape. 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. Learn more. Includes range map, photos, and songs and calls. The body feathers are brown-black with lighter-brown feathers present on the head and neck. In some areas (such as coastal Texas), feeding of this species has become popular, with landowners tossing … They dabble at the water's surface and tip-up at edges of wetlands to feed on aquatic plants and invertebrates. American Black Duck Habitat, diet, feeding behavior, nesting, migration, and conservation status of this bird. Range Its bill is yellowish in color and it has reddish or orange legs and feet. The American black duck is the heaviest species in its genus. eBird data from 2005-2020. While the American coot resembles a duck, it is not actually a duck species. The feet are red or brown. Males and females look alike, except females have a mottled bill. The loss of coastal habitats because of development, pollution and wetland conversion has contributed to the decline of black ducks. Both drake and hen coots are grey in color but appear black from a distance. Anas rubripes A close relative of the Mallard, the Black Duck is better adapted to wooded country. Coots have chicken-like beaks, legs, and feet. They are most abundant on coastal wetlands. The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. However, much of the potential new area opens up in the far west, where the American Black Duck does not occur. Lawrence River region of mixed forests. Restricted to eastern North America, the American Black Duck’s breeding range stretches from southeastern Manitoba and northeastern Minnesota east across Canada, the northern Great Lakes, and New England, and south to the coastal regions of Virginia and North Carolina. Occurrence. Its neck and head are a lighter color than its body. Mexican Duck and other “Mallard-like” ducks whose male plumages resemble those of female, immature and eclipse male “typical” Mallards, have always raised intriguing taxonomic questions. American Black Duck Canard noir Anas rubripes Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities Resident or short-distance migrant. The American Black Duck hides in plain sight in shallow wetlands of eastern North America. American Black Ducks migrate at night in small flocks of 12â30, though flocks of several thousand may take off from staging areas in the fall when cold fronts arrive. 2020. eBird Status and Trends, Data Version: 2019; Released: 2020. American Black Duck Project. The American Black Duck occupies a variety of habitats across its breeding range. Its bill is olive-yellow to orange and its wings have a purplish-blue patch and are white on the underside. The American Black Duck hides in plain sight in shallow wetlands of eastern North America. Average Size Black ducks have an average length of 24 inches and an average weight of 2 3/4 pounds. 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. Range. Can gather in large flocks in saltmarshes and other tidal areas. The highest breeding densities are found in Maine and Nova Scotia. They often flock with the ubiquitous Mallard, where they look quite similar to female Mallards. FEATURES The American black duck is about 22-23 inches long (bill tip to tail tip in preserved specimen). Learn more. Males resemble femal… Once an abundant duck in eastern and central North America, the American black duck population has declined across its range, including in Minnesota, although populations have been fairly stable for the past 2 decades. Species Range Change from 2000 to 2080 Their beaks are white with a faint red strip near the tip. A spectacularly marked, sociable, noisy waterfowl. It has white wing linings that are apparent in flight. Fe… • Fossils of American black ducks, at least 11,000 years old, have been unearthed in Florida and Georgia. It is native to eastern North America and has shown reduction in numbers and increasing hybridization with the more … It winters in a variety of wetland habitats in the eastern United States and has an estimated population of 400,000. The American black duck is not really black, it is more of a dusky brown, In fact it is sometimes called the dusky duck. The American Black Duck is a common migrant and winter resident across Tennessee, with just a few scattered breeding pairs in the state.. In its stronghold along the Atlantic Coast it is a hardy bird, wintering farther north than most dabbling ducks. American black ducks have been observed using Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge year-round. The American Black Duck has a large breeding range of 3,210,000 square kilometers, and breeds in a variety of wetland habitats in central and eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. In the continental U. S., there are three primary species with which the Mexican Duck is often confused: Mottled Duck, American Black Duck, and Mallard. Similar Species. The American Black Duck is a Waterfowl . It migrates through Kansas, first appearing in late October at bodies of water across the state, spending the winter where open water is available, and departing in late March. Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl(Order: Anseriformes, Family:Anatidae). American Black Duck Anas rubripes Range map Data provided by eBird. Food Habits The American black duck often flocks with mallards, in which they look quite similar to the hen. With the clearing of forest, it has steadily lost ground to spreading populations of Mallards. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. American black ducks interbreed regularly and extensively with mallards, to which they are closely related. American Black Duck plumage is similar to that of Mallards, however, they lack the bright green head and neck breeding plumage of Mallards (Anas platyrhychos). This is a duck of forested wetlands, lakes, ponds, bogs, and salt marshes and primarily breeds across northeastern North America from Canada to eastern Virginia. Individuals that breed in northwestern Ontario and Quebec migrate the longest distances, 700â800 miles. Anas rubripes breeds from Manitoba southeast to Minnesota, east through Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and in the forested portions of eastern Canada to nortern Quebec and northern Labrador. (From Audubon Field Guide) American Black Duck Range, habitat, physical description, reproduction, lifespan, behavior, communication, food habits, and conservation status. Not truly black, the American black duck has dark, dusky brown plumage that appears black from a distance. Female Mallard. In the United States, it is found in northern Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut, Vermont, South Dakota, central West Virginia, Maine and on the Atlantic coast to North Carolina. It is 19-22 inches in length. Fink, D., T. Auer, A. Johnston, M. Strimas-Mackey, O. Robinson, S. Ligocki, W. Hochachka, C. Wood, I. Davies, M. Iliff, L. Seitz. The American Black Duck is a large, dark duck with a paler head and neck. It’s doubtful that the species would make that westward leap, especially if over-harvesting and pressure from the Mallard continue, so prospects for this species may be worse than predicted. Some authorities even consider the black duck to be a subspecies of the mallard instead of a separate species. American black ducks utilize a variety of habitats for breeding, such as alkaline marshes, acid bogs, lakes, stream margins, fresh, brackish and salt marshes, and the margins of estuaries. This is a duck of forested wetlands, lakes, ponds, bogs, and salt marshes and primarily breeds across northeastern North America from Canada to eastern Virginia. Look for the white wing lining in contrast to the very dark body plumage to differentiate the two. Cool Facts • The American Black Duck occasionally strays from its normal range. The black duck winters in the southern parts of its breeding range and south to the Gulf Coast, Florida, and Bermuda … Migration and Wintering Black ducks are most common in the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways, with more numbers along the Atlantic coast. Individuals in other populations may stay in one place all year or move short distances to avoid freezing water. In Canada, the range extends from northeastern Saskatchewan to Newfoundland and Labrador. There is a purple wing patch with a very thin, white edge at the back. High concentrations of black ducks are The American black duck is endemic to eastern North America. For a comprehensive review of the conservation status, habitat use, and ecology of this and other Montana bird species, please see Marks et al. The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is a large dabbling duck. Explore Birds of the World to learn more. Calls include quacks similar to those of Mallards. In Canada, the highest breeding densities of this duck occur in the Great Lakes–St. Populations declined precipitously in the mid-20th century, but the combined conservation efforts of the United States and Canada may have the numbers on the rise. American black ducks are similar to mallards in size, and resemble the female mallard in coloration, although the black duck's plumage is darker. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. Males and females look alike, although the female is a little lighter. Its wings have purplish patches (called specula) and white wing linings. A duck of the Northeast, the American Black Duck shows clear affinities with the Mallard. The range map depicts the boundary of the speciesâs range, defined as the areas where the species is estimated to occur within at least one week within each season. The ducks congregate within Farm Creek, which provides highly suitable sheltered emergent wetlands. The American black duck breeds from the upper Mississippi River across to the northeastern United States, north through northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, across Ontario and the eastern Canadian provinces. On the Atlantic coast and on the St. Lawrence estuary, the American Black Duck is particularly abundant in coastal marshes. Chocolate body is significantly darker than female Mallard. All are prone to some degree of vagrancy, and extralimital birds may sometimes occur within the range of Mexican Duck… There are two distinct subspecies of the mottled duck. Geographic Range. The mottled duck (Anas fulvigula) or mottled mallard is a medium-sized dabbling duck.It is intermediate in appearance between the female mallard and the American black duck.It is closely related to those species, and is sometimes considered a subspecies of the former, but this is inappropriate (see Systematics below).. In North America found mostly near Mexican border, but has increased in numbers recently, partly because it will use nest boxes put out for it. The easiest way to tell the sex of a coot is its voice. 2016, Birds of Montana.