- African Black Duck
Taxobox
name = African Black Duck
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Anseriformes
familia =Anatidae
genus = "Anas "
species = "A. sparsa"
binomial = "Anas sparsa"
binomial_authority = Eyton, 1838
subdivision_ranks =Subspecies
subdivision =
* "A. s. sparsa"
South African Black Duck
* "A. s. leucostigma"
Pink-billed Black DuckThe African Black Duck ("Anas sparsa") is a species of
duck of the genus "Anas ". It is genetically closest to the mallard group (Johnson & Sorenson, 1999), but shows some peculiarities in its behavior (Johnson "et al.", 2000) and (as far as they can be discerned) plumage; it is accordingly placed in thesubgenus "Melananas" pending further research.The African Black Duck is an entirely black duck with white marks on its back. It lives in central and southern
Africa .It is also known as the black river duck, or ("A. s. leucostigma") West African black duck or Ethiopian black duck.It is a very shy and territorial duck. It is usually seen in pairs or small flocks. It breeds throughout the year in different areas. Incubation is about 30 days by the mother and the fledgling period is 86 days and only the mother takes care of the young.
It is a medium sized duck and is similar in size but when seen in pairs the male is noticeably bigger. Their egg quantity ranges from 4 to 8 eggs.
Though it likes to stay in rivers and streams during the day it prefers large open waters during the night. This duck likes water in the wooded hills of Africa and also like to hide its nests near running water. Also the Anas sparsa makes its cup shaped nest of driftwood and matted grass. Though it builds its nest near running water it is always above flood level and on the ground.
It feeds off of larvae and pupae usually found under rocks, aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails, and crabs.
References
* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
* Johnson, Kevin P. & Sorenson, Michael D. (1999): Phylogeny and biogeography of dabbling ducks (genus Anas): a comparison of molecular and morphological evidence. "Auk" 116(3): 792–805. [http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/Auk/v116n03/p0792-p0805.pdf PDF fulltext]
* Johnson, Kevin P. McKinney, Frank; Wilson, Robert & Sorenson, Michael D. (2000): The evolution of postcopulatory displays in dabbling ducks (Anatini): a phylogenetic perspective. "Animal Behaviour" 59(5): 953–963 [http://ducksrus.bu.edu/~msoren/pubs/AnimBehav2000b.pdf PDF fulltext]
External links
* [http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/NDG/Ducks/BRKAfrBk.html Photos of the African black duck] hosted by the Feather Site.
* [http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/phtml/especie.phtml?idEspecie=471 Videos of the African black duck] hosted by the Internet Bird Collection.
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