Andaman Teal vs African Pygmy-goose
Anas albogularis compared with Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andaman Teal | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas albogularis | Nettapus auritus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 37.4 cm (14.7 in) | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 370.0 g (13.05 oz) | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Diet | Eats molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates by diving; diet dominated by hard-shelled benthic invertebrates. | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 7-8 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers with floating water lilies and other aquatic vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Tanzania. Nests in tree cavities near water. Highly dependent on water lily vegetation.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Male produces a soft, wheezy whistle; female gives a quiet, duck-like quack. Pairs exchange rapid twittering notes during courtship on lily-covered African pools.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andaman Teal
Breeds in boreal forest wetlands of central Canada; winters along the Atlantic coast from New England to the Caribbean.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Andaman Teal
African Pygmy-goose
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Tiny. Males have glossy dark green head with orange facial patch and ear spot; chestnut-orange flanks; white underparts; black and green back. Females duller with dark eye-stripe. Small yellow-green bill.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.