American Black Duck - Anas rubripes
This species is a large dabbling duck somehow resembling the female Mallard in coloration but has a darker plumage. Male and female are similar in appearance. It is an endemic species of North-America, usually found in coastal marshlands and freshwaters.
Common Names
- American Black Duck (en)
- Ánade sombrío (es)
- Canard noir (fr)
- Dunkelente (de)
How to Identify
The similarity with Mallard 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 around Montreal.
Where & When to Spot
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.
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
A pair of American Black Ducks reposing at the shore of the river between Montreal and Laval.
- May 22, 2020
NIKON Z 6; 300mm f/4; Focal Length 300mm; Exposure 1/1600; Aperture f/4; Iso 100;
khm-20200522-1452-0000106032
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
pippy-park - August 15, 2017
NIKON D500; TAMRON SP AF 150-600mm F5-6.3 VC USD A011N; Focal Length 280mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f6.3; Iso 560;
khm-20170815-1846-1502808402
American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
mont-saint-bruno - May 17, 2015
NIKON D7100; 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6; Focal Length 300mm; Exposure 1/640; Aperture f5.6; Iso 450;
khm-20150517-1626-1431865594