Andaman Teal vs Mandarin Duck
Anas albogularis compared with Aix galericulata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Teal | Mandarin Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas albogularis | Aix galericulata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 44.0 cm (17.3 in) |
| Wingspan | 37.4 cm (14.7 in) | 70.0 cm (27.6 in) |
| Weight | 370.0 g (13.05 oz) | 570.0 g (20.11 oz) |
| Diet | Eats molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates by diving; diet dominated by hard-shelled benthic invertebrates. | Seeds, acorns, grains, aquatic plants, insects, snails, and small fish. Forages by dabbling, walking, and … |
| Clutch Size | 7-8 | 7-14 |
| 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.
Mandarin Duck
Wooded lakes, rivers, and ponds surrounded by dense forest. Unlike most ducks, regularly perches in trees and nests in tree cavities.
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.
Mandarin Duck
Male gives a low whistled 'hib' or 'weep'. Female utters a soft quacking 'kek'. Generally quiet and secretive. No loud territorial song; vocalizations subtle and brief.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andaman Teal
Breeds in boreal forest wetlands of central Canada; winters along the Atlantic coast from New England to the Caribbean.
Mandarin Duck
Native to East Asia including eastern Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. Feral populations established in Britain and western Europe.
Conservation Status
Andaman Teal
Mandarin Duck
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.
Mandarin Duck
Breeding males have an elaborate pattern of orange, green, white, and purple with distinctive orange sail feathers on the back. Females are grey-brown with a white eye-ring and stripe.
Small red bill in breeding males, pinkish 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.
Mandarin Duck
The mandarin duck is widely considered the most beautiful duck in the world. In East Asian culture, mandarin ducks symbolize love and fidelity because they form strong pair bonds. Unlike most ducks, mandarins nest in tree holes up to 9 meters above the ground, and day-old ducklings must leap to the ground.