---
title: "American Black Duck"
description: "Anas rubripes — Birds. The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is a large dabbling duck in the family Anatidae."
canonical: https://animalchecklist.com/animal/american-black-duck
last_updated: 2026-09-20
---

# American Black Duck

> Anas rubripes — Birds. The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is a large dabbling duck in the family Anatidae.

- Scientific name: *Anas rubripes*
- Category: `birds` (Birds)
- Habitats: `freshwater` (Lakes & rivers)
- iNaturalist observations: 29077
- Wikidata: [Q845292](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q845292)
- iNaturalist taxon: [6924](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/6924)

## Names

- en: American Black Duck
- de: Dunkelente
- es: Pato negro americano
- fr: Canard noir
- nl: Amerikaanse zwarte eend
- pt: Pato-escuro-americano
- pl: Brązówka

## Countries with the most observations

US (12755), CA (11764), PM (20), PT (13), BM (8), ES (7), GB (6), FI (4), DK (3)

## Summary

The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is a large dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. It was described by William Brewster in 1902. It is the heaviest species in the genus Anas, weighing 720–1,640 g (1.6–3.6 lb) on average and measuring 54–59 cm (21–23 in) in length with an 88–95 cm (35–37 in) wingspan. It somewhat resembles the female and eclipse male mallard in coloration, but has a darker plumage. The male and female are generally similar in appearance, but the male's bill is yellow, while the female's is dull green with dark marks on the upper mandible. It is native to eastern North America. During the breeding…

Text: Wikipedia (en), CC BY-SA 4.0 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_black_duck

## Photo

![American Black Duck](https://animalchecklist.com/img/animals/american-black-duck/medium.jpg)

Photo: Reuven Martin · CC0 · inaturalist — https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9295107

## Machine access

`GET https://animalchecklist.com/api/v1/animals/american-black-duck?lang=en` — see [openapi.json](https://animalchecklist.com/openapi.json).