Bird
Mottled Duck
Anas fulvigulaAlso known as Mottled Mallard, Florida Duck, Gulf Coast Duck
Mottled Ducks are year-round residents of coastal marshes and shallow wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico and peninsular Florida. Both sexes display warm, buff-brown plumage accented by an unbordered, iridescent green-blue speculum on the wing. Pairs establish long-term bonds and build well-concealed nests in dense cordgrass, frequently foraging in shallow pools through dabbling and up-ending.
WaterfowlWetlandNon-Migratory
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAquatic invertebrates, Marsh grass seeds, Submerged aquatic vegetation
Predators
- American Alligator
- Raccoon
- Peregrine Falcon
ThreatsWetland loss, sea level rise, and genetic swamping from feral Mallard hybrids
HabitatsCoastal salt marshes, brackish estuaries, and freshwater wetlands
Life span5–15 years
Classification
- OrderAnseriformes
- FamilyAnatidae
- GenusAnas
- SpeciesAnas fulvigula
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Field ID: Check the speculum, which lacks broad white borders seen in female Mallards.
- Observation Distance: Use binoculars from marsh dikes to avoid flushing nesting pairs from cover.
Frequent Companion Alan D. Wilson, www.naturespicsonline.com / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Predator no rights reserved, uploaded by Vijay Barve · cc0
Close Relative This picture was realized by Richard Bartz by using a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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