Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Mexican Duck
Scientific name:	Anas diazi
Date:	10/26/2021
Time:	5:50 PM
Length of time observed:	15 minutes total
Number:	1
Age:	adult
Sex:	male
Location:	Sullivan Virgin River Park- Pond area
County:	Washington
Latilong:	37.117557, -113.501485
Elevation:	2800 ft.
Distance to bird:	30'
Optical equipment:	Swarovski EL 10x42 binoculars, Nikon D850 camera with 420mm lens
Weather:	Clear and calm
Light Conditions:	sunny
Description: Size of bird:	similar to Mallard
(Description:) Basic Shape:	round, duck-like shape
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	dark brown patterned, pale head and neck
(Description:) Bill Type:	ducklike, flat rounded tip
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Bill was dull yellow (no black on top) with black nail. Head was pale with dark crown and eyeline. The throat was a light tan with a distinct color demarcation with the breast. The body was a dark patterned brown. The tail was dark. The undertail coverts were dark. There was no curl in the uppertail coverts. It appeared to be larger than the female mallards and slightly smaller than the male Mallards. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	No vocalizations heard
Behavior:	Semi-calm. It was swimming in a fairly small pond and did not fly when people approached, however, it would would move if someone approached the side of the pond it was on. It seemed constantly alert.
Habitat:	Pond in a Park.
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Mallard- was darker than mallard, no black on the bill (males are in breeding plumage), no curl in uppertail coverts, tail and undertail coverts were all dark. It was distinctly larger than the female Mallards, but smaller than the male Mallards. Mottled Duck- there was no black spot on the gape, and the eyeline was longer than a Mottled American Black Duck- it was brown, not 'blackish'. The face was not as dark and gray like an American Black Duck.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Have seen and photographed several in SE Arizona, and have seen a few hybrids.
References consulted:	Sibley
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Maurice DeMille
Observer's address:	260 N MAIN, LA VERKIN, UT 84745
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	Kayla Michael, Lucy Ormond, Janet Doxey.
Date prepared:	Oct. 28, 2021
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments:	This bird was first reported by Kayla Michael on 24Oct2021, but I have not seen a Sight Record filed with the Utah Bird Records Committee. I am submitting this sight record and photographs to ensure that the committee has an opportunity to review this bird.