The African Black Duck has a blackish-brown plumage with white markings on its back, grey beak with black markings, brown eyes, pale underwings, distinctive blue speculum, and yellow legs and feet. Both sexes are alike. The African Black Duck is a large dabbling duck. It is sometimes called the Black River Duck, West African Black Duck, South African Black Duck, or Ethiopian Black Duck. It is a very shy duck which prefers to stay in fast flowing waters during the day.