Mexican Duck Identification

Male

A large dabbling duck. Male has a dark reddish-brown body, a lighter neck and head, and an olive-green to yellow bill.

Female

Female is similar to male, but typically has a dusky orange bill and is not as richly reddish-brown.

Male (with female Mallard)

A large dabbling duck, slightly smaller than a Mallard. Male (seen here courting a female Mallard) is a rich reddish-brown with a lighter head and neck and yellow bill.

Male

Speculum is blue, bordered by a white trailing edge and usually a white leading edge.

Male and female

Often found together in pairs, with bill color—orangeish in female, yellowish in male—the best way to tell the sexes apart.

Inhabits a variety of human-made and natural waterbodies.

Female

Female bill color is variable, ranging from orange (with some dark marks) to drab olive.

Male and female

In flight, white underwing linings contrast with darker upperwings. The speculum is blue, bordered by a white trailing edge and narrow white leading edge (sometimes absent). Tail is dark.

Male

Occurs in virtually all areas with water, ranging from seasonal and permanent wetlands to reservoirs, irrigation canals, and other human-made water features.