black duck vs mallard

[ben1983]

is anyone else driving themselves nuts because they can't tell the difference?

[rick_iles]

is anyone else driving themselves nuts because they can't tell the difference?

A black duck is very easy to distinguish from a mallard. Where it becomes difficult is when you see a mallard/black cross.

[duckslayer]

Like Rick I have no issues picking out blacks but it does become difficult with low light levels (dawn and dusk) but even then if they are close enough I can pick them out most times. (Not trying to sound like some pompous azz expert just trying to get the point across that it’s not that difficult to tell them apart once you are familiar with them)

More time studying from books, internet (YouTube) and real life bird watching (head to you local parks and watch the ducks) and you should be able to start picking them out, it’s really not that hard. I’m assuming you can tell them apart If you see both together if not then you definitely need to double down on the studying!!


Since Rick mentioned about the hybrids it’s not really a big deal, if you do shoot one they count as a mallard on your limit not a black.

[trimmer21]

Like Rick I have no issues picking out blacks but it does become difficult with low light levels (dawn and dusk) but even then if they are close enough I can pick them out most times. (Not trying to sound like some pompous azz expert just trying to get the point across that it’s not that difficult to tell them apart once you are familiar with them)

More time studying from books, internet (YouTube) and real life bird watching (head to you local parks and watch the ducks) and you should be able to start picking them out, it’s really not that hard. I’m assuming you can tell them apart If you see both together if not then you definitely need to double down on the studying!!


Since Rick mentioned about the hybrids it’s not really a big deal, if you do shoot one they count as a mallard on your limit not a black.

Thanks for this. I still have trouble when it comes to hens in flight,even after all these years. LOL

[ben1983]

More time studying from books, internet (YouTube) and real life bird watching (head to you local parks and watch the ducks) and you should be able to start picking them out, it’s really not that hard. I’m assuming you can tell them apart If you see both together if not then you definitely need to double down on the studying!!

that's what i've been doing. even bought binoculars for longer distance. i'll watch them while fishing or just being out. i had no idea about the eclipse plumage for the mallards until i tried to figure out why the males all disappeared. kinda wish i hadn't read about it because now the world has become a confusing place

[Sprite]

Be around the birds enough, and you'll start pegging them. Blacks are quite easy to spot, even in the earlier parts of the season once you've got an eye for it. Now that we're back to a two bird limit and no early closure in the Southern Zone for Blacks, it makes things a little easier and gives you a bit of a buffer. Like Duckslayer said, a hybrid counts as a Mallard in your limit.

Early in the morning is the toughest time. When we had the early closure, I only shot drake Mallards in the early morning light because the stark contrast between belly and chest is easier to distinguish than a Black drake/hen and Mallard hen.

-Nick

[Jeff Kavanagh]

Be around the birds enough, and you'll start pegging them. Blacks are quite easy to spot, even in the earlier parts of the season once you've got an eye for it. Now that we're back to a two bird limit and no early closure in the Southern Zone for Blacks, it makes things a little easier and gives you a bit of a buffer. Like Duckslayer said, a hybrid counts as a Mallard in your limit.

Early in the morning is the toughest time. When we had the early closure, I only shot drake Mallards in the early morning light because the stark contrast between belly and chest is easier to distinguish than a Black drake/hen and Mallard hen.

-Nick

What Nick said!