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 |