Kentucky Ornithological Society

Mottled Duck

Photos by Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.

The dabbling duck pictured below, which superficially looks like a female American Black Duck, was observed in western Henderson County on May 20, 2005. Field marks consistent with identification of Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) are as
follows: 1) buffy, unstreaked chin and foreneck; 2) black spot at gape of bill; 3) rich, rufous/buff edgings to body feathers; 4) olive-yellow bill. The bird does not appear to show much in the way of internal rufous/buff markings in the body feathers, but this may not be as apparent in birds of the western Gulf Coast race, A. f. maculosa, and if one is to interpret Sibley, it might indicate that the bird is male (i.e. showing less in the way of internal markings than females). Unfortunately, I did not see the characters of the speculum in the wing very well, which may have contributed to the confirmation. If this bird was an American Black Duck, it would have narrower, paler edgings to the body feathers and have a grayer, streaked chin and foreneck. If this bird was a hybrid female Mallard x American Black Duck, it should have some light or white in the outer tail feathers and probably a different bill pattern. David Roemer knows a lot more about this ID than myself, and he has reviewed the photos and helped to point out these distinctive markings. Thanks, Dave. -- Brainard Palmer-Ball, Jr.
 

 The above photos have been lightened and had the contrast increased
slightly for better viewing.