Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2023-15
| Common name: |
Mexican Duck |
| Scientific name: | Anas diazi |
| Date: | 04/23/23 |
| Time: | 3:21 PM |
| Length of time observed: | 20 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Powell Lake, 489 Olive Pl, Lehi, UT, 84043 |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | 40.382991, -111.902765 |
| Elevation: | 4,550' |
| Distance to bird: | Approx. 50 feet |
| Optical equipment: | |
| Weather: | clear |
| Light Conditions: | Very bright |
| Description: Size of bird: | Mallard-like |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Mallard-shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Dark, mottled brown |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Yellow |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Overall dark brown duck with lighter brown mottling and a clear
demarcation between dark brown breast and paler head. Yellow bill. Dark
brown overtail and undertail coverts with no curl, with pale edging to
tail feathers. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | |
| Behavior: | Swimming, dabbling, and associating with female mallard. |
| Habitat: | Shallow pond |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
It's possible this would be considered mallard x Mexican duck due to the white on the tail, but that may just be worn feathers; I'll leave it up to the experts to decide. Not a female mallard due to the overall dark coloring and yellow bill. American black duck and Mottled duck excluded due to white on speculum seen by other observers. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Have one confirmed record of Mexican duck at this same location. |
| References consulted: | Ebird, allaboutbirds.org |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Marissa Reay |
| Observer's address: | 1059 W 360 S |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Several people have completed eBird reports of this same bird, but none were present at the initial sighting to my knowledge. |
| Date prepared: | 5/5/2023 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |
|