Photo: Monkey Boy from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Black Duck
Anas sparsa
African Black Duck (Anas sparsa) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Africa.
Found across 11 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Black Duck (Anas sparsa) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 981 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Anas
- Species sparsa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 981 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Black Duck is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The African Black Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Black Duck (Anas sparsa) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF widespread.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 981 g, with a wing length of about 24.7 cm and a tail of around 11.2 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Black Duck?
The African Black Duck is a very large bird that weighs around 981 g.
Where does the African Black Duck live?
The African Black Duck is found across Africa with a range covering AF widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the African Black Duck belong to?
The African Black Duck (Anas sparsa) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the African Black Duck eat?
The African Black Duck is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the African Black Duck migrate?
The African Black Duck is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African Black Duck endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the African Black Duck make?
1 real field recording of the African Black Duck — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Black Duck's range?
The African Black Duck has a mapped global range of about 9.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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