Florida Mottled Duck. Not a very good shot, but the only shot I have of this species so I'll leave it for now. These ducks are native to central Florida. They have lived here year round for thousands of years. This native Florida species has become threatened by Mallard Ducks. Wild Mallards are not a threat as they migrate north to breed in the spring (the same mating season as the Mottled) however tens of thousands of Mallard ducklings are purchased every year in Florida (mainly around Easter) and when they mature are frequently released into the wild. These birds do NOT migrate in the spring and cross breed with the Mottled ducks creating hybrids. At this rate, pure Florida Mottled Ducks may become a thing of the past if stricter control is not enforced concerning domesticated Mallards (IT IS ILLEGAL TO RELEASE DOMESTICATED MALLARDS INTO THE WILD IN FLORIDA, HOWEVER IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT LAW TO ENFORCE. PLEASE DO NOT RELEASE DOMESTICATED MALLARDS INTO THE WILD. IF YOU CAN NOT CARE FOR THEM YOU'RE BETTER OFF DESTROYING THEM THEN RELEASING THEM!!)