Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula)

This close relative of the American Black Duck and Mallard is resident on the Gulf Coast and in Florida. Males and females pair early in the season, usually by November and breeding begins in January. I believe this is a male. Females have an orange bill and paler body plumage. Birds in Texas are the race "A. f. maculosa" which can be difficult to separate from American Black Duck, a very rare visitor to Texas. Male Mottled Ducks such as this can be as dark as American Black Ducks. They differ subtly in the internal markings of their scapulars, flanks and back. Mottled Ducks have a dark spot at the base of the bill (barely visible in this photo) which American Black Duck lacks.