Black Duck

Confined to eastern North America, east of the Great Plains and south of the tundra, north of Long Island

and east of Ohio.

Bearing a resemblance to hen Mallards, the Black Duck is the only common duck species where both sexes are virtually identical in plumage.

Inter breading with the more aggressive mallard is the Black Duck’s range is endangering the survival of this species.

The dark coloration and speculum of back ducks make identifying them in flight easy.  The give away is that there is little or no white margin on the purple to dark blue speculum feathers.  Mallards show significant white marking both ahead of and behind the speculum.  The speculum of mallards also tends to be a much bluer color.

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