I was shooting yesterday at the Viera Wetlands at Melbourne Florida and there were many ducks. I am having a great deal of trouble determining what this duck is. I think it is a Mottled Duck, but it also seems likely that it could be an American Black Duck or even a Gadwall. Help! Sometimes I think I am getting worse at identification the longer I try. I thought when I took up bird photography it would make identification a great deal easier, bu I must report it has not. Thanks for your help.
Mac
Last edited by Wheeler McDougal Jr.; 02-06-2010 at 05:17 PM.
Reason: Can't dispay image.
It's a Mottled Duck. Gadwall has neatly defined black on the bill and a female Mallard's black on the bill looks like someone poured it on. Black Duck and Mottled Duck ID can be tricky but this bird isn't near dark enough for a Black Duck in my opinion. However, just because you have a really dark Mottled type doesn't mean Black Duck since here in Louisiana, we have Mottled Ducks that ARE black! Also, Mottled has an unstreaked throat like your bird here does.
Duck confusion
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