American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
This species is a large dabbling duck, somehow resembling the female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in coloration but having darker plumage. Males and females are similar in appearance. It is a native species of North America, usually found in coastal marshlands and freshwater habitats.
Common Names
| 🇨🇦 | American Black Duck |
| 🇫🇷 | Canard noir |
| 🇩🇪 | Dunkelente |
| 🇲🇽 | Ánade sombrío |
Taxonomy
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
Characteristics
| Length | 54-59cm |
| Weight | 720-1640g |
| Wingspan | 88-95cm |
| Clutch Size | 6-14 eggs |
| Incubation | 25-26 days |
| Fledging | 42-49 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
Explore More
📖 Wikipedia Page: For more information about this species.
Identification and Whereabouts
The similarity with Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) makes it difficult to identify this species. A distinctive mark is the lack of a white line between the wing’s blue posterior part and the brown anterior part. It is also less common than Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) around Montreal.
The only time I was sure about the identification of this species was with the couple I observed in a pond in the National Park Mont Saint Bruno.
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parc Angrignon | x | - | - | - |
| Parc Mont Saint-Bruno | - | x | - | - |
| Parc Île-de-la-Visitation | x | - | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.
Captured Moments
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.