Clive Harris documented Maryland's apparent first state record Mottled Duck along the C&O Canal at Carderock, Montgomery County on 12/26/2021. That said, there appears to be some earlier documentation (unidentified at the time) establishing an earlier date. Mottled Duck is a Mallard relative of the southeastern U.S., especially Florida and the Gulf Coast. Distinguishing Mottled Ducks from American Black Duck and Mallard hybrids can be challenging. In fact, hybridization with Mallards is a real threat to the species' future. That said, this one looks great and many experts have weighed in saying so. Pending MD/DCRC acceptance, we have another new bird species for Maryland.
There are 25 records in the project database.
GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |