Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2020-18b


Common name:

Mexican Duck

Scientific name: Anas diazi
Date: May 16, 2020
Time: 5:47 pm
Length of time observed: 15 minutes
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Location: Powell Lake in Lehi
County: Utah
Latilong: 40.38, -111.9
Elevation: About 4,600 feet
Distance to bird: 20 yards or so
Optical equipment: Nikon Monarch 10.5x45 binoculars, Nikon D80 camera with Nikon 55-300 zoom lens.
Weather: Sunny
Light Conditions: Some glare from the water, but the photos weren't taken in the direction of the sun.
Description:        Size of bird: A little larger than the female Mallard it was with
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Duck-shaped
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Dark brown overall with considerable patterning in lighter colors
(Description:)            Bill Type: Mallard-shaped, yellow in color
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Dark brown overall with some lighter brown mixed in, light brown head, yellow bill, some whitish showing in the tail. I will submit photos.
(see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery: None heard
Behavior: Swimming in the company of a female Mallard, generally moving away from people observing them from the shore.
Habitat: Small "lake" (pond) in Lehi with nearby homes, a street, and one side with trees.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
It appeared larger and darker than the accompanying Mallard, but it was obviously Mallard-shaped and close to the same size as the female Mallard.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
None with this species; lots of observations of Mallards.
References consulted: Cornell's eBird and Merlin app.
Description from: From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Noel Zaugg
Observer's address:  268 Sweetwater Drive, Springville, UT 84663
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Several other birders had reported the bird on eBird, where I found out about it. Two other people were observing it while I was there, one of them through a spotting scope. I did not ask for their names.
Date prepared: July 17, 2020
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: The individual observing through the spotting scope said she thought she could see a hint of green on its head that I could not see through binoculars or camera. Michael Lester encouraged me to submit this report along with my photos. It has taken me a while to get around to it.