Physical 

The American Black Duck is a large bird, 48-56 cm in size.  It is sooty brown with a pale head, white linings, and a violet speculum.  Sexual dimorphism is not present.

 

Image by DickDaniels from theworldbirds.org on Wikimedia

Habitat

A. rubripes make their homes in ponds, streams, and marshes.  They winter from southern Minnesota to Nova Scotia, and south to Texas and Central Florida.

Feeding 

American Black Ducks eat aquatic plants and invertebrates.  These include bivalves such as mussels and various univalves like snails.