A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Anas rubripes
The American Black Duck is the darkest bird in the picture mixed in with mallards. American black ducks are similar to mallards in size, and resemble the female mallard in coloration, although the black duck's plumage is darker. It is native to eastern North America and has shown reduction in numbers and increasing hybridization with the more common mallard as that species has spread with man-made habitat changes. This bird has been confirmed by multiple expert birders at Phinizy Swamp. Note that I am not one of those expert birders.
This one was spotted amongst a group of mallards at constructed wetlands at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta (Richmond County), GA.
The black duck and mallard are different species in the genus Anas.
No Comments