Laura Erickson's For the Birds

This duck from Mexico south to Argentina and Uruguay is found naturally, though rarely, along the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. This duck, like the Mallard, has also been domesticated. Escapes from captivity have become established in Florida, where most of my photos come from. Captive birds have extremely variable plumage; they’re recognizable because virtually all have some bare, “warty” red skin at the base of the bill and on the face.