Male
Credit: Lip Kee

North American field guide

Masked Duck

Nomonyx dominicus

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Identification

Field notes

34 cm (14") Rare. West Indies and Mexican duck. It visits s Texas and Gulf Coast states to coast of Florida, Atlantic coast. Unlike the similar Ruddy Duck this one can take off without running along the water first and shows a white wing patch in flight.

Male: black face on a reddish brown head is distinctive. Blue bill.

Female or Winter Male: shows a double dark stripe across the face.

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Videos

2 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Masked Duck (Female)

1 rule
Rule 1 15 criteria confidence 1
In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?
Yes · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?
Blue · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Light area over, below, behind or around the eye · Sideburn stripe running down beneath the eye · Dark area behind, under, through or around the eye · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?
Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Duck or Goose-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southeastern United States
result:785-masked-duck-female:1:1 Source: 785 Masked Duck (Female), row 1

Masked Duck (Male)

1 rule
Rule 1 15 criteria confidence 1
In FLIGHT did the bird display a LIGHT WING STRIPE or PATCH ?
Yes · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?
Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?
Blue · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Medium · Long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?
Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?
Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Pigeon-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Duck or Goose-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Spring · Summer · Fall
WHERE was the bird seen ?
Southeastern United States