Mottled Duck

Scientific name: Anas fulvigula

A large dabbling duck closely related to the Mallard and the American Black Duck, the Mottled Duck occupies southernmost portions of the eastern U.S. Mottled Ducks are sometimes seen in 3-bird flights in which a territorial male is chasing away an intruding pair. Mottled ducks are less commonly seen in flocks than most other ducks.

Mottled Ducks are thought to begin breeding at one year of age. Predation and hunting are major sources of mortality, although hurricanes can also have effects on populations. The record known age for a Mottled Duck in the wild is 13 years.