Anas sparsa
The African Black Duck (*Anas sparsa*) is a strikingly dark-plumaged dabbling duck, measuring 50-58 cm (20-23 in) in length and weighing between 0.8-1.2 kg (1.8-2.6 lbs). Its sooty black feathers are flecked with white, giving it a distinctive 'salt-and-pepper' appearance, particularly on its back and flanks. A key identifying feature is its bright yellow bill, adorned with a prominent black saddle on the culmen, contrasting sharply with its dark head, and its vivid orange to reddish-orange l...
Found primarily along fast-flowing, clear rivers and streams with dense riparian vegetation; also inhabits lakes, dams, and estuaries, ranging from sea level to 4000 meters in elevation.
Feeds primarily on aquatic invertebrates (insect larvae, crustaceans), small fish, tadpoles, and some seeds and aquatic plant matter, obtained mainly by dabbling or upending.
This diurnal duck largely forages during the day, occasionally extending activity into moonlight nights. It roosts on secluded riverbanks, under dense overhanging vegetation, or on mid-stream rocks, relying on its camouflage. A dabbling duck, it feeds by head-dipping, upending in shallow waters, ...
The African Black Duck is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, with its range extending from Ethiopia and South Sudan south through East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi) to Central Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi) and extensively into Souther...
Least Concern
- The African Black Duck is the only uniformly dark-plumaged dabbling duck found across most of its African range. - Unlike most dabbling ducks, it shows a strong preference for clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams rather than stagnant or slow-moving waters. - Breeding pairs are highly territor...