African Black Duck vs White-cheeked Pintail

African Black Duck

Anas sparsa

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The African black duck is a black duck with pronounced white marks on its back, a dark bill, and orange legs and feet. A purpish-blue speculum is often visible, especially in flight. It lives in central and southern Africa. It is also known as the black river duck, or (A. s. leucostigma) West African black duck or Ethiopian black duck. It is a medium-sized duck, with a length of 48–57 cm (19–22 in). The male is larger than the female.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Matthew Fainman · CC BY 4.0

White-cheeked Pintail

Anas bahamensis

Large490 gWetland

Like many southern ducks, the sexes are similar, though females are slightly smaller and duller in plumage. It is mainly brown with white cheeks and a red-based grey bill; juveniles have duller bill. The wing has an iridescent green speculum. Like the other pintails, it has a slender, acutely pointed tail, though not so marked as in the northern pintail A. acuta. It cannot be confused with any other duck in its range.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Andrew Katsis · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: African Black Duck and White-cheeked Pintail.