| Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) |
| Synonyms: Oxyura dominica |
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Nomonyx dominicus occurs in the tropical Americas, including southmost Texas, Mexico, the Greater Antilles, and South America (down to Ecuador and northern Argentina). Resident, but undertakes local movements, e.g., in response to rains. It breeds in freshwater wetlands with floating vegetation, including marshes, small lakes, and ponds. A small stiff-tailed duck (length 13-14 cm; weight 345-385 g). Breeding male has a black face, blue bill, and a reddish-brown body mottled with black. Female has a gray bill, dark brown crown, buff eye-stripe and supercilium, and tawny-brown mottled body. A large white wing-patch in both sexes. Breeds mainly during the wet season. The nest is built of aquatic vegetation; often roofed over. Clutch 4-8 eggs; incubation 23-25 days. Masked Duck feeds on seeds, roots, stems, and leaves of aquatic plants, and less commonly on aquatic insects and crustaceans. The overall population estimated fewer than 100,000.
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