Mottled Duck vs Pacific Black Duck

Mottled Duck

Anas fulvigula

Large843 gWetland

The adult mottled duck is 44 to 61 cm (17–24 in) long from head to tail. It has a dark body, lighter head and neck, orange legs and dark eyes. Both sexes have a shiny green-blue speculum (wing patch), which is not bordered with white as with the mallard. Males and females are similar, but the male's bill is bright yellow, whereas the female's is deep to pale orange, occasionally lined with black splotches around the edges and near the base. The plumage is darker than in female mallards, especially at the tail, and the bill is yellower.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: http://www.birdphotos.com · CC BY 3.0

Pacific Black Duck

Anas superciliosa

Large883 gWetland

This sociable duck is found in a variety of wetland habitats, and its nesting habits are much like those of the mallard, which is encroaching on its range in New Zealand. It feeds by upending, like other Anas ducks. It has a dark body, and a paler head with a dark crown and facial stripes. In flight, it shows a green speculum and pale underwing. All plumages are similar. The size range is 54–61 cm (21–24 in); males tend to be larger than females, and some island forms are smaller and darker than the main populations.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Stephen Barrell · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Mottled Duck and Pacific Black Duck.