Dutch Birding volume 24 (2002) no 1

Probable breeding of pure American Black Duck pair in the Azores in 2000

On 27 August 2000, five American Black Ducks Anas rubripes (three adults and two juveniles) were discoverd at Lagoa Branca, Flores, Azores. The adults were identified by the combination of dark plumage, violet speculum without white, white axillaries and (mostly) yellow bill. The two juveniles were considered pure American Black Ducks as well since they did not show any Mallard characters in their plumage. They were closely associated with one of the females. It is concluded that American Black Duck very probably has bred on this lake. Interestingly, six American Black Ducks, including probably five juveniles, were observed on the same lake on 5-6 September 1998 and two other males on 19 September 1999. In November 2001, two males, two females, six hybrids with Mallard A platyrhynchos and one hybrid with Common Teal A crecca were reported here. This record is apparently the first of a pure pair of American Black Ducks breeding in the Western Palearctic. It is quite possible that this species has bred on Flores for several years as suggested by the group seen in 1998 on the same lake around the same date. This record has been accepted by the Portuguese rarities committee (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves in litt).

Philippe J Dubois, 8 rue Ambroise Pare, 95520 Osny, France
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