African Black Duck

Anas sparsa

Other Names

  Black Duck, Black River Duck, West African Black Duck, Ethiopian Black Duck, South African Black Duck   Canard noir, Canard noirâtre, Canard noir d'Afrique   Schwarzente   Anade Negro     Afrikaanse Zwarte Eend   Germano nero africano

World: Africa mainly E and S from the highlands of Ethiopia, through Sudan and East Africa. More widespread S of 15°S. Mostly absent in the dry SW

Kenya: A bird of the w and central highlands found up to 4250m

A shy bird generally found in pairs along fast-flowing well-wooded highland streams. It has distinctive white scalloping on the upperparts which may, in some individuals, form bands. It also has a very distinctive blue speculum which is clearly visible in flight and often, as in the picture above, when on the water