Silver Teal
Spatula versicolor
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<birdfyi-bird slug="spatula-versicolor"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized teal with a striking black cap, white face, blue bill with yellow sides, and boldly spotted scaly-looking flanks. Widespread in lowland and mid-altitude South America. Often found in pairs or small groups. Feeds by dabbling in shallow water.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 37.0 cm | 14.6 in |
| Weight | 409.75 g | 14.45 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Black crown contrasting with white face and sides. Body pale silvery-gray with fine dark vermiculations. Bold yellow-and-black bill. Blue-gray forewing and iridescent green speculum in flight. Sexes similar.
Habitat & Range
Freshwater wetlands, marshes, lakes, and flooded fields from sea level to 3,500 m in southern South America from Peru and Bolivia through Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.
Geographic Range
Breeds in sub-Arctic Europe and western Russia; winters on coasts of Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caspian Sea.
Diet & Feeding
Dabbles for seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates; diet varies with season; forages in shallow ponds and flooded fields.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Incubation: 25-26 days.
Clutch Size
6-10
Sound
Song
Male produces a soft, nasal prrp note; female gives a subdued quack. Quiet vocalizations suit the species' secretive nature in South American reedy marshes.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Anseriformes (Waterfowl) |
| Family | Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans) |
| Genus | Spatula |
| Species | Spatula versicolor |
Distribution
Silver Teal has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Silver Teal eat?
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Is the Silver Teal endangered?
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What does the Silver Teal sound like?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family