Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
ANATIDAE Members: Masked Duck 193
General Comments
This shy and secretive Tropical American duck has been found in the state on one occasion. An earlier NC Bird Records Committee considered the Masked Duck record as Provisional II, indicating some concern about its natural origin/occurrence; this committee placed most stray waterfowl sightings in this category. However, a more recent Committee, in a 1990 decision (Chat 54:55), re-evaluated the record and considered the bird to be of natural, unassisted origin, as the species is rarely kept in captivity and as strays routinely range north to Florida.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SA
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Accidental; one in non-breeding plumage (female or winter-plumaged male) was seen at Lake Ellis [now named Lake Ellis Simon] (Craven) from 20-25 Feb 1982* (Chat 46:112-113); photo on the cover of the issue.
Piedmont
No records.
Mountain
No records.
Finding Tips
Too rare to search for.