FLORIDA DUSKY DUCK 
ANAS FULVIGULA Ridgway 
(Plate 22) 
Synonymy 
Anas ohscura Audubon, Ornith. Biograph., vol. 4, p. 15, 1838 (in part). 
Anas obseura, xav. fulvigula Ridgway, Amer. Naturalist, vol. 8, p. Ill, 1874. 
Anas fulvigula Ridgway, Proc. U.S. National Museum, vol. 1, p. 251, 1878. 
Anas maculosa Sennett, Auk, vol. 6, p. 263, 1889. 
Anas fulvigula maculosa Coues, Auk, vol. 7, p. 61, 1890. 
Vernacular Names 
English: Southern Black Duck, Florida Dusky Duck, Florida Black Duck, Brown 
Mallard, Striped Mallard, Summer Mallard, Summer Duck, Summer French 
Duck, Dusky Duck, Mottled Duck, Texas Dusky Duck, Mexican Mallard. 
French: Canard des Isles, Canard noir d’ete. 
German: Florida Dunkele Ente. 
DESCRIPTION 
Adult Male: Similar to Anas rubripes but paler all over. Edges of scapular feathers black, those 
of rump more broadly margined with buff; feathers of mantle with central buffy areas. Lower surface 
not very different from that of Anas rubripes, but whole head very much paler, the lower cheeks, 
chin, and throat immaculate. Speculum usually the same, but in a few specimens it is much more 
green than purple, and different from any speculum of Anas rubripes. 
Iris dark brown. Bill very brilliant yellow or cadmium orange with nail black, and a black line 
along base of culmen. Membrane between rami of lower maxillae black, and a black area one quarter- 
inch wide at angle of jaw. Legs and feet brilliant orange. 
Size slightly smaller than Anas rubripes. Wing 241-263 mm., average 252; bill 53-59, average 54; 
tarsus 45-48, average 46. 
Adult Female: Very similar to male but upper breast not quite such a rich brown color and lower 
parts in general somewhat more streaked and less mottled in appearance. 
Iris as in male. Bill dull orange, with dirty black spots, especially below nostril, and a black area 
at angle of culmen. Legs and feet reddish orange, not so brilliant orange as in male. 
Size considerably less than male. Wing 223-242 mm., average 236; bill 49-54, average 52; tarsus 
41-46, average 43. 
Young in First (Juvenal) Plumage: Probably more streaked on lower parts, and with soft parts 
duller in color. 
Young in Down: Compared with young of Anas rubripes or Anas boschas this species is 
