There are a few species of duck that are predominantly black in color and have red or reddish beaks. Determining the exact species requires looking at some key identifying features and geographic location. The most common black ducks with red bills are:
– The American Black Duck, which is found throughout much of North America.
– The Mexican Duck, located in parts of Mexico and the Southern US.
– The Black-bellied Whistling Duck, which inhabits areas from Mexico down through South America.
– The Comb Duck, native to parts of South America.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of these duck species, including their key identification features, habitat ranges, diet, and conservation status. Read on to solve the mystery of “what kind of duck is black with a red beak?”
Key Features of Black Ducks with Red Beaks
When trying to identify a black duck with a red bill, there are a few key features to look for:
Plumage Color
All of these duck species are mostly black or very dark brown throughout their bodies, heads, wings, and tails. The black-bellied whistling duck has—as its name suggests—a black belly, while the other species may show some light mottling on the underside.
Bill Color
Their bills range from bright red to dull maroon or reddish-pink. Male and female ducks have similarly colored bills.
Bill Shape
Bill shape varies between these species. The American black duck has an oval-shaped, greenish-yellow bill. The Mexican duck’s bill is long and thin. The black-bellied whistling duck’s bill is long with a black culmen and fleshy pink sides. The comb duck has a large, wide, flat bill with a distinctive comb-like ridge on top.
Leg Color
Leg color is yellowish to orange on all these duck species. The brightness varies between breeding and non-breeding seasons.
Size
The American black duck is one of the larger duck species, while the Mexican duck and comb duck are more petite. The black-bellied whistling duck falls in the middle size-wise.
Whistling Call
The black-bellied whistling duck is the only species with a loud, whistling “weeee-weeeet” call. The others may quack or make quieter calls.
Range and Habitat
The ranges and habitat preferences of the four black and red-billed duck species differ:
American Black Duck
| Range | Throughout much of North America; winters along the southern coasts |
| Habitat | Freshwater ponds, marshes, beaver swamps |
Mexican Duck
| Range | Southwestern US, Mexico, some of Central America |
| Habitat | Marshes, flooded fields, urban areas and parks |
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
| Range | Southern US to Central America; recently expanding northwards |
| Habitat | Flooded agricultural fields, urban and suburban lakes |
Comb Duck
| Range | South America; Peru to Argentina |
| Habitat | Swamps, lakes, flooded grasslands |
As you can see, there is some overlap in these species’ ranges, particularly in parts of Mexico and the southern US. The American black duck has the widest range far into North America. The comb duck resides only in South America.
Diet
The diets of these duck species are largely similar, consisting of:
– Aquatic plants
– Grass seeds
– Aquatic invertebrates like snails and insects
– Some small fish and amphibians
They often feed by dabbling or tipping headfirst into the water rather than diving fully underwater. The black-bellied whistling duck feeds extensively on agricultural grains like rice, corn, and sorghum. The American black duck sometimes grazes in fields as well.
Breeding and Nesting
These duck species nest on the ground near water, typically among dense vegetation that conceals their nests. Average clutch sizes range from 8-15 eggs for most of the species. The female incubates while the male stands guard nearby. Ducklings are able to swim and find their own food within a day of hatching.
Conservation Status
The conservation status of these black and red-billed ducks is:
American Black Duck
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
Mexican Duck
| Conservation Status | Near threatened |
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
| Conservation Status | Least concern |
Comb Duck
| Conservation Status | Near threatened |
The American black duck and black-bellied whistling duck remain widespread and abundant. However, the Mexican duck and comb duck have suffered declining populations due to habitat loss and competition/hybridization with introduced duck species. Protected wetlands are important for sustaining populations of all these waterfowl species.
Identification Tips
To quickly identify whether a black duck with a red bill matches one of these species, look at these key characteristics:
American Black Duck
– Found in North America
– Oval-shaped bill with some yellow
– No whistling call
Mexican Duck
– Smaller size
– Long thin bill
– Found in Mexico and southwestern US
Black-bellied Whistling Duck
– Medium size
– Long bill with black on top
– Loud whistling call
Comb Duck
– Found in South America
– Very large, wide, flat bill with ridge
The location and specific bill features are often the quickest clues to identifying an unknown black and red-billed duck. Listen for whistling calls from the black-bellied species. Mexican ducks and comb ducks have more restricted ranges. With practice, birders can learn to readily distinguish these similar waterfowl species.
Conclusion
In summary, there are four main duck species with predominantly black plumage and reddish bills: the American black duck, Mexican duck, black-bellied whistling duck, and comb duck. Identification depends on carefully noting location, distribution, bill characteristics, size, calls, and other field marks. Each species fills an important niche in its wetland habitats. Learning to identify and conserve black ducks with red bills helps preserve wetland biodiversity. The next time you encounter a dark waterfowl with a reddish bill, see if you can determine “what kind of duck is that?” using the tips and clues provided here. With a bit of practice, you’ll be determining and appreciating these unique duck species in no time.