Sighting Record for Utah

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:	**
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