A Species in Focus

Recommended Updates to Mottled Duck Population Objectives

The current Western Gulf Coast mottled duck population objective derived from breeding surveys is an aspirational 212,000 individuals. The current population status as it pertains to the recommended objective is 126,000 and is the average of the 2011–2021 surveys (Appendix D and 2024 Update Technical Report).

Two mottled ducks swim near a marshy bank at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge.
Mottled ducks at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in the Western Gulf Coast region.
Diane Borden Billiot / USFWS