37 American Black Duck

• A group of American Black Ducks is called a; Brace / Flush / Paddling / Raft / Team.
• This Paddling of American Black ducks has two males and two females in its group.  The way to distinguish the males from the females is the coloring of the legs and bills.  Notice the dull green color of the female bills compared to the yellow of the males.
• The American black Duck has been known to interbreed with the Mallard. Some say they are the same species, but this is not true for the female follows Haldane's rule where most females die before they reach maturity.  There are a lot of color variation in the males because of the interbreeding.  Seen on the blue wing bands and neck coloration.
• When they settle in a marsh for winter they will not leave this area even if the marsh freezes and the birds starve.  In spring when they have their 9 average Brace if the mother dies another mom will adopt the Flush adding it to her own even if they are not the same age.
• The American Black Duck used to be called the Dusky Duck. I kind of like this name.