American Black Ducks are winter birds in New York: the first arrive in late July, they are common by the second week of October, peak in mid January (14% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of April.
When to look
First arrivalsJul 22-31late July
Common byOct 8-14the second week of October
PeakJan 15-21mid January
Most gone byApr 8-14the second week of April
Best: mid January. First arrivals late July; most are gone by the second week of April. Peak: on about 14% of New York checklists.
Janpeak season
Febpeak season
Marpeak season
Aprcommon
Mayrare
Junrare
Juluncommon
Auguncommon
Sepuncommon
Octcommon
Novpeak season
Decpeak season
Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.
Share of complete checklists reporting it, by week (4 per month). Grey bars: fewer than 10 checklists, not counted.
Frequency is the share of complete checklists in New York that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
today
0%few checklistsno data
Each county is shaded by the share of complete checklists there that listed the bird, blended with the weeks either side. Darker is more often. It follows where people watch birds, not how many birds there are. How to read it.
Avon LakeSuffolk County, best late November · 30 checklists that week, 785 in all97%
Twin IslandBronx County, best the second week of February · 24 checklists that week, 553 in all96%
Dreier-Offerman ParkKings County, best the second week of January · 43 checklists that week, 1,849 in all95%
Simmonds PondNassau County, best the second week of December · 28 checklists that week, 1,097 in all95%
Busy spots report more of everything; compare the checklist counts before you drive anywhere.
Best time of day
In New York, the American Black Duck is most often listed on checklists started between 1 and 3 pm (8.5% of those checklists).
Share of checklists started in each local hour that reported it. It reflects when people go birding as well as when birds are active. Grey hours have too few checklists (under 2% of the state’s, or under 200) to judge.Week-by-week table
Month
Days 1-7
8-14
15-21
22-end
January
13%
14%
15%
13%
February
13%
11%
9.3%
13%
March
13%
13%
13%
11%
April
8.3%
6.3%
4.5%
2.7%
May
1.7%
1.4%
1.4%
1.5%
June
1.4%
1.4%
1.2%
1.2%
July
1.3%
1.6%
2.0%
2.4%
August
2.9%
3.2%
3.7%
3.6%
September
3.7%
3.5%
3.8%
4.6%
October
5.6%
6.8%
8.4%
9.4%
November
11%
12%
13%
13%
December
13%
13%
12%
12%
Neighboring states
Connecticut: arrives late October, 12 weeks later than New York
New Jersey: arrives the second week of October, 10 weeks later than New York
Pennsylvania: arrives late September, 8 weeks later than New York
Vermont: arrives late July, in the same week than New York
Common questions
When do American Black Ducks arrive in New York?
American Black Ducks are winter birds in New York: the first arrive in late July, they are common by the second week of October, peak in mid January (14% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of April.
When do American Black Ducks leave New York?
Most American Black Ducks have left New York by the second week of April, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late April.
When is the best time to see a American Black Duck in New York?
The American Black Duck is reported most often in mid January, on about 14% of New York checklists.
Where in New York are American Black Ducks seen most often?
By county, Bronx County, Sullivan County, and Kings County have the highest peak reporting rates for the American Black Duck (counties with at least 200 checklists).
