Mexican Duck
Anas diazi
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAnseriformes (Waterfowl)
- FamilyAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
- GenusAnas (Mallards, Pintails, and Allies)
- SpeciesAnas diazi (Mexican Duck)
About the Mexican Duck
The Mexican duck (Anas diazi) is a species of dabbling duck that breeds in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Most of the population is resident, but some northern birds migrate south to Mexico in winter. The species also occurs widely, but in limited numbers, in Colorado in all seasons and there are photographs of birds referable to this taxon from Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana.
Mexican Ducks reside in almost all aquatic habitats. The bird has a length of 45–55 cm (17.7–21.6 in) and a weight of 849–1,243 g (1.872–2.740 lb) The Mexican duck is mainly brown, with a blue speculum edged with white, obvious in flight or at rest. The male has a brighter yellow bill than the female.
The Mexican duck was considered a subspecies of the mallard, as Anas platyrhynchos diazi until 2020, when the American Ornithological Society determined the Mexican Duck to be its own species. Analysis of mtDNA control region sequence data—taking into account hybridization events—indicates it is the southwestern relative of the American black duck and shares a fairly recent common ancestry with this species (McCracken et al. 2001).... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Mexican Duck in Death Valley National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Death Valley National Park
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Common Teal
Anas crecca
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta
Common Teal
Anas carolinensis
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Cinnamon Teal
Spatula cyanoptera
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Gadwall
Mareca strepera
Redhead
Aythya americana
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris
American Wigeon
Mareca americana
Bufflehead
Bucephala albeola
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Mexican Duck in Death Valley National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Mexican Duck sighting in Death Valley National Park, based on 20 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Mexican Duck in Death Valley National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Mexican Duck in Death Valley National Park in our monthly data.