Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 3-2000


Common name:

American Black Duck

Scientific name: Anas rubripes
Date: 31 Mar 2000
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Length of time observed: 3-4 minutes
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex: male
Location: Wetlands; west Provo, Ut.
County: Utah
Latilong: 6
Elevation: ~4490
Distance to bird: 50-75 feet
Optical equipment: binocs - 8 x 30
Weather: Clear & sunny
Light Conditions: Very good - no clouds  (see drawing)
Detailed description of bird:    Bill - Bright yellow
   Feet - Orangish
   Head & neck - Light gray - contrasted with very dark body
   Back, breast & belly - very dark - more black that brown
Wings - underwings were very light -colored & contrasted with much darker wings.  Speculum was violet - not blue; I didn't note any white bordering it when it flew.  It was almost iridescent & when the sun hit it in flight it contrasted with the very dark wings.
   Other ducks with it - 3 mallards & 4 Cinnamon Teal.  Male mallards provided basis for comparison.  these male's were lighter brown , had blue speculum bordered with white and drabber-colored bill.
Song or call & method of delivery: None heard
Behavior: on ground near water.  When I tried to get closer to see if it would fly, it did.
Habitat: Wetlands drained by a small stream.
Similar species and
how were they eliminated:
Female mallard - see "Detailed description of bird" above.
Previous experience with this & similar species: Only previous experiences was with Ivan Call in Texas where we saw four Am. Black Ducks in 1992 (summer), & a description I wrote of this species 4-5 years ago at Minersville reservoir hear Minersville, Ut. which, as far as I know still has not been acted on bye the Ut. Records Committee.
References consulted: NGS Field Guide
Peterson's Western Birds
Description from: From memory
Observer: Merrill Webb
Observer's address: 1063 East 400 North, Orem, Ut.  84097
Observer's e-mail address:  
Other observers who independently identified
this bird:
Dennis Shirley, Reed Stone - April 1, 2000
Date prepared: 2 Apr 2000
Additional material: DrawingOriginal Document
   

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