The male American Black Duck, Anas rubripes, has a dark body and light head, orange-red legs, unblemished yellowish bill, and a black-bordered blue speculum — the brightly colored patch of feathers on the wing. The black duck in the photos is locally famous among birdwatchers in Brooklyn, New York, for pairing with a female Mallard, […]
Author: Julie Feinstein
I am a Collection Manager at the American Museum of Natural History, an author, and a photographer. I live in New York City. I recently published my first popular science book, Field Guide to Urban Wildlife, an illustrated collection of natural history essays about common animals. I update my blog, Urban Wildlife Guide, every Sunday.
Spring in New York City
This pale Cabbage White butterfly, also called the Small White, Pieris rapae, was the first butterfly I’ve seen in my Brooklyn neighborhood this year. One can just make out the diagnostic dark wingtips and the single dark spot in the center of the forewing (that identifies this one as a male). The butterfly’s spring form […]