Photo: Félix Uribe from Rionegro, Antioquia, Colombia / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Waterbirds

Masked Duck

Nomonyx dominicus

Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Central America & Caribbean.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Argentina Birds of Brazil Birds of Colombia Birds of Costa Rica Birds of Ecuador Birds of Mexico Birds of Peru Birds of the United States Birds of Florida Birds of Louisiana

By family

Ducks, Geese & Swans of Argentina Ducks, Geese & Swans of Brazil Ducks, Geese & Swans of Colombia Ducks, Geese & Swans of Costa Rica Ducks, Geese & Swans of Ecuador Ducks, Geese & Swans of Mexico Ducks, Geese & Swans of Peru Ducks, Geese & Swans of the United States Ducks, Geese & Swans of Florida Ducks, Geese & Swans of Louisiana

See what's near you right now

The Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Central America & Caribbean and South America. Adults weigh 365 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
Genus Nomonyx
Species dominicus

Where it lives

Widespread

Quick facts

Weight: 365 g
Diet: Aquatic plant-eaters
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Masked Duck feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Behaviour

A bird of wetlands, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Masked Duck is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) is a species of bird in the Anatidae family, part of the order Anseriformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean and South America. Its distribution covers MA, SA widespread.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 365 g, with a wing length of about 13.8 cm and a tail of around 8.6 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 8.4 million km².

Songs & calls

Masked Duck — Song

Recorded by Fernando Igor de Godoy Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Masked Duck?

The Masked Duck is a large bird that weighs around 365 g.

Where does the Masked Duck live?

The Masked Duck is found across Central America & Caribbean and South America with a range covering MA, SA widespread, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Masked Duck belong to?

The Masked Duck (Nomonyx dominicus) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.

What does the Masked Duck eat?

The Masked Duck feeds mainly on aquatic plants and algae.

Does the Masked Duck migrate?

The Masked Duck is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Masked Duck endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Masked Duck make?

1 real field recording of the Masked Duck — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Masked Duck's range?

The Masked Duck has a mapped global range of about 8.4 million km².