Sighting Record for Utah

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:	Drawing, Original Document