African Black Duck (Anas sparsa)
Illustration redrawn by AI from a real photograph

African Black Duck

Anas sparsa Eyton, 1838

48–57 cmLength982 gWeight

The African black duck (Anas sparsa) is a species of duck of the genus Anas.

Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania

African Black Duck has been recorded at 196 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 18 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

  1. Rietvlei NRSouth Africa491 records
  2. Ngare Sero Mountain LodgeTanzania417 records
  3. Walter Sisulu National Botanical GardenSouth Africa332 records
More places
  1. Delta ParkSouth Africa270 records
  2. Kruger NP – Skukuza CampSouth Africa263 records
  3. Nairobi River @ National Museums of KenyaKenya208 records
  4. Harold Porter Botanical GardensSouth Africa123 records
  5. Bwindi-Impenetrable NP – 'The Neck'Uganda92 records
  6. Strandfontein WTPSouth Africa83 records
  7. Naro Moru River LodgeKenya78 records

Countries and regions with the most records

South AfricaKenyaTanzaniaUgandaZambiaZimbabweLesothoEthiopia

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The African black duck (Anas sparsa) is a species of duck of the genus Anas. It is genetically closest to the mallard group, but shows some peculiarities in its behavior and (as far as they can be discerned) plumage; it is accordingly placed in the subgenus Melananas pending further research.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia

Questions

How big is the African Black Duck?

The African Black Duck is about 48–57 cm long and weighs around 982 g.

Where does the African Black Duck live?

Its breeding range: Africa: widespread. It is most often recorded in South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.

When is the best time to see the African Black Duck?

At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in October and November (Southern Hemisphere).

Is the African Black Duck endangered?

The IUCN Red List classifies the African Black Duck as Least Concern.

What does the African Black Duck eat?

Main food: Omnivore.

What family is the African Black Duck in?

It belongs to the family Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae), order Anseriformes.

At a glance

Length
48–57 cm
Weight
982 g
Habitat
Wetland
Diet
Omnivore
Lifestyle
On the water surface
Migration
Resident (barely migrates)
Conservation
Least Concern
More measurements
Wing
247 mm
Tail
112 mm
Bill
48 mm
Tarsus
38 mm

Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.

Range

Africa: widespread

Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2

Classification

Family
Ducks, Geese, Swans Anatidae
Genus
Anas

Other birds in the genus Anas

Yellow-billed DuckYellow-billed DuckAnas undulataMeller's DuckMeller's DuckAnas melleriPacific Black DuckPacific Black DuckAnas superciliosaLaysan DuckLaysan DuckAnas laysanensisHawaiian DuckHawaiian DuckAnas wyvillianaPhilippine DuckPhilippine DuckAnas luzonicaIndian Spot-billed DuckIndian Spot-billed DuckAnas poecilorhynchaEastern Spot-billed DuckEastern Spot-billed DuckAnas zonorhynchaMallardMallardAnas platyrhynchosMottled DuckMottled DuckAnas fulvigulaAmerican Black DuckAmerican Black DuckAnas rubripesMexican DuckMexican DuckAnas diazi
African Black Duck

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Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Alex R. ↗

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