Andaman Teal vs Mallard
Anas albogularis compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Teal | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas albogularis | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 37.4 cm (14.7 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 370.0 g (13.05 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | Eats molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates by diving; diet dominated by hard-shelled benthic invertebrates. | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | 7-8 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Andaman Teal
Freshwater pools, rice paddies, coastal marshes, and mangrove-fringed inlets on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bay of Bengal. Non-migratory; restricted entirely to this island group.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Song & Call Comparison
Andaman Teal
Female produces a soft, descending quacking series; male gives a subdued whistle. Low-pitched, unobtrusive calls rarely heard; this Near Threatened island teal is generally quiet.
Mallard
Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andaman Teal
Breeds in boreal forest wetlands of central Canada; winters along the Atlantic coast from New England to the Caribbean.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Andaman Teal
Mallard
How to Tell Them Apart
Andaman Teal
Dark brown mottled plumage; pale throat and face contrasting with dark crown. Iridescent green speculum. Bill gray; legs grayish. Sexes similar. Endemic to Andaman Islands; near-threatened island population.
Mallard
Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
About These Birds
Andaman Teal
A small dark brown teal with a white throat and chin patch, green speculum, and dark bill. Endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Vulnerable; threatened by habitat loss and hunting. One of the least-known ducks in Asia.
Mallard
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.