BLACKDUCK
(Anas rubripes)
The Blackduck is a puddle duck that nearly resembles the Mallard Hen. It has the same appearance but slightly darker, and doesn't have the white borders around the speculum of the wings. It is mottled dark brown, has purplish - blue wing speculum with black border , and has a yellow to greenish bill, and reddish orange legs. The Drakes average length is 22", while the Hens is 21". The Drakes weight averages 2.7lbs and the Hen averages 2.4lbs.The hens lay about 9 eggs. Blackduck numbers have been dropping since the 1950's and although its not quite clear why the suspect is that the Mallards are moving into the east breeding grounds and hybridization has occurred as well as competition. In the east there population is just over 400,000, a 6% increase since 2000. Although the most concentrations of Blackducks are out east Wisconsin Hunters still bag a few every year.