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Mass Audubon State of the Birds

Find Bird Groups

American Black Duck
Anas rubripes

The breeding population of the American Black Duck is undergoing a precipitous decline in Massachusetts, while the wintering population (comprised primarily of American Black Ducks that breed in Canada) is increasing. As a nesting bird, the American Black Duck is somewhat restricted in distribution in Massachusetts.
Conservation Status
Conservation Action Urgent

Tracking This Bird In Massachusetts

Climate Vulnerability Score

Highly Vulnerable
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (current)
0.55
Mass Audubon Mean likelihood of occurrence (2050)
0.38
Mass Audubon Absolute change in likelihood of occurrence
-0.16
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Bird Atlas (Hadly Hi emissions scenario)a
n/a
National Audubon Societyb
Climate Endangered
a USFS model data for Massachusetts by 2100
b National Audubon Society's Climate Change Atlas was completed on a continental scale.

Breeding Bird Atlas

Atlas I Blocks
508
Atlas II Blocks
239
Percent of state occupied - Atlas I
52
Percent of state occupied - Atlas II
23
Percent change
41

Breeding Bird Survey

Annual trend 1966-2010
-5.5%
P-value
significant, declining
Number of routes
20
Recent trend 2000-2010
-4.4%

Christmas Bird Count

Trend (1963-2008)
0
Significantly different than zero
no
Trend (1963-1979)
1
Significantly different than zero
no
Trend (1979-2008)
-1
Significantly different than zero
no

Habitat Usage

Breeding

Forested Wetland, Open Freshwater Marsh, Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds, Saltmarsh

Wintering

Coastal, Open Freshwater Marsh, Rivers, Lakes, and Ponds, Saltmarsh

Climate Suitability Current and 2050