Andean Teal vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Anas andium compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Andean Teal | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas andium | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 44.8 cm (17.6 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 457.0 g (16.12 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Eats molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; dives in shallow coastal and freshwater habitats; diet varies … | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 5-13 | 10-11 |
| 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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Freshwater wetlands, rice fields, streams, and forest pools in New Guinea, Sulawesi, the Philippines, and Moluccas. Often found near forested rivers and seasonal swamps at low elevations.
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A musical, high whistle similar to other whistling-ducks. Call is softer and less far-carrying than White-faced or Black-bellied species. Given in flight and on water.
Geographic Range & Migration
Andean Teal
Breeds in Arctic and sub-Arctic North America; winters along both US coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Great Lakes.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Andean Teal
Spotted Whistling-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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Dark brown above; head and neck dark brown. Underparts heavily spotted white on dark brown ground, giving spotted appearance. Flanks with bold white spots. Pink-red bill and legs. Sexes similar.
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.
Spotted Whistling-duck
A small dark brown whistling-duck with bold white spots on its flanks, orange-red bill and legs, and a pale face. Found in tropical wetlands of New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Often found near freshwater streams and flooded grassland. Less gregarious than other whistling-ducks.