Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2024-14
| Common name: |
Mexican Duck |
| Scientific name: | Anas diazi |
| Date: | 04/23/24 [23 Mar 2024] |
| Time: | 1:56 PM |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | Male |
| Location: | Tonaquint Nature Center, St. George, UT |
| County: | Washington |
| Latilong: | 37.0807, -113.60058 |
| Elevation: | 2590 ft |
| Distance to bird: | 162 ft |
| Optical equipment: | Emarth 20-60x60AE 45 Degree Angled Spotting Scope |
| Weather: | Sunny, 70 degrees Fahrenheit, 24mph SSW wind |
| Light Conditions: | Great |
| Description: Size of bird: | Same size as adjacent MALL |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Duck shape |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Mottled brown |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Medium sized duck bill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
MALL sized duck with brown mottling pattern similar to adjacent female
MALL but with more black than brown. Lighter brown head without any
signs of green blotching. Greenish yellow bill similar to that of
adjacent male MALL. (see photo) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Non vocal |
| Behavior: | First spotted swimming in the water near edge of the pond. After a few minutes, climbed up on to the bank and laid down in the shade of some low hanging vegetation. |
| Habitat: | Shallow pond with semi murky, stagnant water producing algae growth. Thick willow, cottonwood, and other vegetation around edges of the pond creating shade and little bank access too much of the pond. |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Female MALL was ruled out due to the darkness and richness of the mottling pattern on the body as well as the greensih yellow color of the bill. MALL x MEDU hybrid was ruled out due to no green mottling on head, lighter colored belly than body, black rump, or curled tail feathers. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Third MEDU viewed in Utah. First two were seen and identified first by other observers. One observed MALL x MEDU hybrid also in Utah. |
| References consulted: | National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America, ebird.org, audubon.org, allaboutbirds.org |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Shiloh Rasmussen |
| Observer's address: | 185 E 300 N, Apt. #10, Provo, UT 84606 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | There was a second observer, but not one who independently identified the bird. |
| Date prepared: | 03/30/2024 |
| Additional material: | Photo |
| Additional comments: | Ebird Checklist with photo: https://ebird.org/checklist/S165736494 |