Most likely to nest in treed areas near lakes in remote woodlands from Atlantic Canada through Ontario, black ducks are rarely seen further west. At a distance, mallard-like males and females both appear pure black but are actually dark browns with lighter heads and necks. Broods of up to twelve take 28 days to hatch. Young depend on tree-lined brooks and ponds for larvae from mosquitos and other insects during their first two weeks of life. Poorly-timed pesticide use and acid rain can threaten early survival.
Mature birds rely on plants.
They winter along the Atlantic coast from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico.