Subject: American Black Duck, Anas rubripes, male

Location: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia

Stock Number: 6305

Comments: This species is closely related to the Mallard, and some have suggested that in fact the American Black Duck is simply a Mallard with dark plumage. The natural history of this species is much the same as that of the Mallard. The voice is also the same.

Like other dabbling ducks, American Black Ducks eat terrestrial and water plants, small mollusks and crustaceans, and the aquatic larvae of insects.