American Black Duck (Anas rubripes)
Very similar in looks to female mallards, don't you think? But notice his bill is YELLOW not orange like a female Mallard. True they are not really black but actually chocolate brown.
Time for a rest
I'm sorry there were no female black ducks around, or I'd show you the female looks very much like the male, although her bill is is a dull green.
Hanging out with Mallards
They often flock with Mallards (and sometimes breed with them too) so here you can see that the American Black Duck really is darker than a female Mallard.
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
62 comments:
Lovely photos, that bit of bright blue peeking from under their wings is a cheery sight!
You have a real gift for making the viewer feel they are right there with you. =)
Lovely shots of all the ducks. Would be good to try and get both M & F Black ducks together for us to see.
Amazing wildlife shots. They don't look to happy on the ice. I'm sure they would enjoy water more :)
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
We have the Pacific Black Duck here - if we had yours and the Mallard as well it would be a bit of nightmare!
Nice shots.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
EG, great shots of the Black Duck! I love the top shot! Have a happy day!
Stunning details of the feathers in the first two shots.
Darla
I enlarged that first photo and studied the way his feathers are put together. so beautiful the way each feathers is where it should be and so full of details.
Black but that little blue from the wings makes him noticeably beautiful.
I love that first image too EG, can see it as inspiration for a water colour painting.
I wonder if they get cold feet standing on that ice all day?
Such clear photos showing it's color variation...:)JP
The Black Duck is beautiful, even if it isn't black. You got some great photos.
You've captured these birds beautifully, EG!
Excellent shots. You captured the feather detail perfectly. MB
Among feathers and blue color can be seen. Ducks are very pretty. Regards.
how neat, but i'd get very confused with the mallards - especially hybrids. :)
Nice duck pics. They look so cold, sitting on the ice!
You've caught them wonderful!
But I couldn't tell the difference, to me these are all ducks ;)
Have a fine day
【ツ】Knipsa
Nice that you explained that they are not really black. I thought you had over exposed the picture. :) Pretty duck nevertheless.
There are so many species ducks! Nice close up.
What a gorgeous bird, excellent photography~
What a nice duck. Quite similar to the Mallard, but not one I've seen before. Nice to see your images of it.
Such a pretty duck it is!
Cute little black duck!
Gorgeous captures as always and the detail never ceases to amaze me! You are an awesome photographer and I love those COLD ducks!! Stay warm and enjoy your week!!
Great shots, they are full of character!
She's a beauty!
All my best
Elisabeth
The first photo is fantastic and so cute.
Hugs
Nice images of nice models.
Wonderful portraits! The feather pattern is so beautiful, like art.
That's a new one for me, EG! And you are much braver than me for getting out and about in this cold.
Pretty black duck with that little patch of blue!
In France , when it's very cold , we speak of a "ducks cold " . Those ducks seem happy to be there !
Excellent images, lovely ducks!
I never heard of or saw a black duck before, I am claiming this therefore as my what I learned today!! xx
New to me, so I'm glad you provided a comparison at the end.
Learn something new every day! I never knew about black ducks, so I have likely been thinking they were simply female mallards...
I love your duck photos. You should put togethr a book of them.
my 1st thought when i saw that 1st shot ... was handsome. what a beauty duck. great shots. stay warm this week. take care. ( :
I love those shots, lovely detail on their feathers.
.and a 'back' duck too.
Great shots.The side by side with the Mallard is good for comparison.
You do take the most fabulous bird pictures !
Beautiful bird. I love seeing a bit of the the dark blue wing patch.
They do indeed remind me of the mallard. I like his little bits of color in the beak, the blue and the feet. :)
A very good comparison in your last shot EG. All your photos are excellent.
I can almost feel the feathers - such a crisp, clean image!
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/02/off-of-saint-maarten.html
Love that spot of blue on the feathers.
They look cold.
Lovely shots! Absolutely love the first shot!
I really like the way your photos look like paintings. Beautiful ducks.
Pretty but an odd duck!!
He's a pretty duck and I like that spot of blue.
Fine photos so well taken. :)
Hello C G!:) I would have thought they were Mallards at first glance. Nice shots, of the not so Black Duck, which I think is lovely with those blue feathers.
Lovely feather detail!!
Great pictures of the ducks.
Perfect photographed, my compliments.
Nice comparison shot next to the Mallards. I remember looking at them thinking they do look different. Mottled Ducks are another one. Beautiful capture on that first photo!
I've never seen this duck before - I love the feather patterns. Your photos are fabulous.
they had a black duck in Australia too. We saw rater many of them in Queensland. They were nice birds. :)
It looks like he has a blue feather in his wing? Very nice pics of the pretty fellow.
I think he's mis-named! He's a handsome duck, and I love that blue area tucked into his wing, too.
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