Florida Mottled Duck
Anas fulvigula fulvigula
The Florida Mottled Duck is a nonmigratory native duck closely tied to the peninsula’s shallow wetlands and coastal marshes.
The Florida Mottled Duck is a nonmigratory native duck closely tied to the peninsula’s shallow wetlands and coastal marshes.
Both sexes have warm brown mottled plumage, a dark eye line, orange legs, and a dark speculum without strong white borders. Males usually have a yellow bill. Females have an orange bill marked with black.
Usually seen alone, in pairs, or in small groups. It dabbles in shallow water, rests along vegetated shorelines, and remains in Florida throughout the year.
Harmless to people. Do not feed ducks, approach nests, or allow pets to chase adults or ducklings.
Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and regulated as a game bird. Hunting requires current licenses, seasons, methods, and limits. Nests and eggs must not be disturbed.
Habitat:
Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes and Ponds, Estuaries and Bays, Mangroves and Salt Marshes
Area / Range:
Central Florida, South Florida, Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast
Diet:
Seeds, grasses, aquatic plants, insects, snails, and small crustaceans gathered from shallow water.
Behavior:
Usually seen alone, in pairs, or in small groups. It dabbles in shallow water, rests along vegetated shorelines, and remains in Florida throughout the year.
Daytime, Dawn, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Early morning and late afternoon around quiet marsh edges and shallow ponds
Florida Native Status:
Native Florida subspecies
Conservation Status:
Least Concern; Florida conservation concern
Safety Level:
Observe From a Distance
Safety Information:
Harmless to people. Do not feed ducks, approach nests, or allow pets to chase adults or ducklings.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes aquatic insects and plant material and adds strong wildlife-viewing value to healthy ponds and marsh edges.
Property Concerns:
Feeding encourages crowding, poor water quality, and hybridization with feral Mallards. Repeated shoreline mowing removes nesting cover.
Fun Fact:
Florida Mottled Ducks are among the few North American dabbling ducks that remain within one region year-round.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and regulated as a game bird. Hunting requires current licenses, seasons, methods, and limits. Nests and eggs must not be disturbed.
Identification:
Both sexes have warm brown mottled plumage, a dark eye line, orange legs, and a dark speculum without strong white borders. Males usually have a yellow bill. Females have an orange bill marked with black.