American Black Duck

Anas rubripes
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae
Subfamily Anatinae
Other names: Red-legged Black Duck

♂ Adult male.— Top of head blackish; sides of head, neck, and throat light buffy-brown; rest of plumage dark brown (apparently black, except in strong light); speculum iridescent purple or greenish, edged with velvety black; under sides of wings silvery; bill broad and fairly long, yellowish-green or olive in the Black Duck (see note below); feet of Black Duck brown.

Nest, on the ground, generally near the water. 
Eggs, varying from pale buff to pale greenish-buff.

The Black Duck breeds throughout New England and on Long Island, commonly in the northern portions of New Hampshire and Maine, rarely in southern New England and on Long Island. It is a very common migrant in March and April, and from August to November. Along the seacoast it is a winter visitant, abundant in southern New England and on Long Island, not so common along the Maine coast. It feeds at night in ponds and marshes, or up the tidal creeks and estuaries, retiring by day either to the shelter of reeds or to the sea, well off shore.

It may be known when it flies by its dusky or blackish under parts, and by the silvery lining under its wings. The American Scoter is also entirely black, and the two may be confused along the sea-shore, where the Scoter is found from September to May. The latter, however, dives for its food, while the Black Duck, when at sea, simply rides the water, till the approach of dusk sends it back to its feeding-ground; it never dives. It often comes out on the sand-bars and stands or squats there in company with gulls.

NOTE.— The Red-legged Black Duck is a larger race, with red legs and a yellow bill; it breeds north of New England, and is found here as a migrant or winter visitant. The Black Ducks seen in New York or New England in summer belong to the smaller race.


Hoffmann – A Guide to the Birds of New England and Eastern New York (1904)