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Breeding Range. (Fig. 23). Rare, local, and irregular in the Prairie Pothole Region. Definite breeding records have been reported on the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, Renville County, in 1948 and 1949 (Hammond and Smith 1950); on the J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge, Bottineau County, in 1951 (Aud. Field Notes, 5(5):206) and 1953 (Aud. Field Notes, 7(5):314); and on the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge, Stutsman County, in 1968 (A. D. Kruse). The latter record is probably related to the fact that Black Duck eggs were placed in Mallard nests on the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge by Arnold D. Kruse and Forrest B. Lee, starting about 1967. In addition, adults have been observed in spring (April and first half of May), prior to the usual post-breeding influx of late spring vagrants, at other localities in Wells, Eddy, Griggs, Stutsman, and Kidder Counties.

Breeding Habitat. Various types of wetlands; some preference indicated for shallow river impoundments that are managed for waterfowl use.

Nesting. Probable breeding season: Late April to mid-August. At the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, a brood of six was recorded on August 3, 1948, and two broods containing seven and nine young were observed on July 29, 1949 (Hammond and Smith 1950).

Figure 23. Breeding Range of Black Duck.