American Black Duck vs Hardhead
Anas rubripes compared with Aythya australis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | American Black Duck | Hardhead |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas rubripes | Aythya australis |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 53.4 cm (21.0 in) | 42.7 cm (16.8 in) |
| Weight | 1211.25 g (42.73 oz) | 803.75 g (28.35 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-17 | 6-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
American Black Duck
Freshwater and brackish wetlands in eastern North America from Atlantic Canada south along the coast to Georgia. Breeds in northern bogs and wetlands. Winters on coastal marshes, estuaries, and freshwater lakes.
Hardhead
Deep freshwater lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across Australia and New Guinea. Nomadic in Australia, following seasonal inland flooding. Prefers deep water with submerged aquatic plants.
Song & Call Comparison
American Black Duck
Female produces a loud, deep quacking series; male gives a low, raspy grunt. Voice is deeper and huskier than a Mallard; pairs call powerfully across northeastern North American wetlands.
Hardhead
Male produces a deep, purring wheeze; female gives a grating quacking series. Calls closely resemble Common Pochard; the female's harsh notes carry far across Australian freshwater lakes.
Conservation Status
American Black Duck
Hardhead
How to Tell Them Apart
American Black Duck
Sooty dark brown body; head and neck paler buff with dark streaking. Iridescent purple speculum without white border. Males have yellow-green bill; females olive with orange blotches. Silvery underwings in …
Hardhead
Males dark chocolate-brown with white undertail and flanks. White eye conspicuous. Blue-gray bill with white band and black tip. Females similar but brown with brown eye. Bold white wing stripe …
About These Birds
American Black Duck
A large dark brown dabbling duck closely resembling a very dark female Mallard, with purple speculum, yellowish-olive bill in males, and orange legs. Common in eastern North America. Hybridizes freely with Mallard; pure populations declining in the interior.
Hardhead
A medium-sized diving duck. Males have rich chestnut-brown body, white eye, and blue-grey bill; females are similar but duller. Australia's only widespread diving duck. Nomadic; follows inland flooding. Forms large rafts on deep lakes.