Andean Teal vs African Black Duck
Anas andium compared with Anas sparsa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Teal | African Black Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas andium | Anas sparsa |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 44.8 cm (17.6 in) | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) |
| Weight | 457.0 g (16.12 oz) | 996.8333333333334 g (35.16 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 5-13 | 4-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Andean Teal
High-altitude freshwater lakes, marshes, and boggy streams at 2,500–4,500 m in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Strongly associated with paramo and subpáramo wetlands.
African Black Duck
Fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams, mountain gorges, and waterfalls from sea level to 4,000 m across sub-Saharan Africa from Ethiopia and Kenya south to the Cape. Requires clear turbulent water with boulders.
Song & Call Comparison
Andean Teal
Male gives a clear, whistled note; female produces a soft quacking series. Subdued vocalizations of this high-altitude Andes teal blend with the wind across paramo lakes.
African Black Duck
Produces a harsh, resonant quacking call; alarm is a loud, emphatic quack repeated rapidly. Both sexes call with strong quacking; pairs duet with synchronized calls along African rivers.
Conservation Status
Andean Teal
African Black Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Andean Teal
Brown body with fine dark spotting; head grayish-brown. Yellow bill with darker culmen. Iridescent green speculum with white front border. Legs grayish-orange. Sexes similar. High-altitude Andean specialist.
African Black Duck
Dark blackish-brown plumage with bold white spots on back and scapulars. Iridescent blue-green speculum with white borders. Head dark with pale spots. Bill and legs dark gray. Sexes similar. Fast-flowing …
About These Birds
Andean Teal
A small brown teal with yellow bill and green speculum. Closely related to Yellow-billed Teal; sometimes considered conspecific. Restricted to high-altitude Andean wetlands of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Listed as Near Threatened due to wetland loss.
African Black Duck
A medium-sized dark brown duck with white spots on the back, a dark bill, and orange legs. Found along fast-flowing rocky rivers and streams in Africa. Territorial and monogamous; pairs defend stretches of river. Related to Pacific Black Duck.