Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2024-14b


Common name:

Mexican Duck

Scientific name: [Anas diazi]
Date: 3/27/24
Time: 9:24 am
Length of time observed: 10 minutes
Number: 1
Age: Adult
Sex: Male
Location: Tonaquint Nature Center
County: Washington
Latilong: (37.0803608, -113.6002428)
Elevation: 2,850
Distance to bird: 10 ft
Optical equipment: Camera 500mm
Weather: Partly cloudy
Light Conditions: Daylight
Description:        Size of bird: Similar to Mallard
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Duck
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: Mottled brown
(Description:)            Bill Type: Bright yellow
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
Mallard sized duck, bright yellow bill unlike the orange bill of the nearby female Mallards, Mottled brown plumage, darker less mottled wingtips than female Mallard, finely streaked neck, dark eye-line, orange feet. More timid and kept its distance from nearby Mallards
(see photo)
Song or call & method of delivery: Did not hear it call
Behavior: Swimming, dabbling, resting in the shore
Habitat: Community pond
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Female Mallard. The Mexican Duck had bright yellow bill, less mottled and darker overall especially on tail, more timid than the surrounding ducks.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
Had seen a confirmed Mexican Duck in Utah County a couple of years ago. Have seen very many Mallards in the past at this location and many other locations.
References consulted: Merlin app, eBird.org, Audubon field guide app
Description from: Notes taken at the time of the sighting
From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer: Asher Lee
Observer's address: 1749 Paragon Dr. St. George, Utah
Observer's e-mail address: asherbenjaminlee@gmail.com**
Other observers who independently identified this bird: London Graham spotted this bird and we both identified it.
Date prepared: 4/2/24
Additional material: Photo
Additional comments: nnina