Auckland Teal vs African Black Duck
Anas aucklandica compared with Anas sparsa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Auckland Teal | African Black Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas aucklandica | Anas sparsa |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) |
| Weight | 522.25 g (18.42 oz) | 996.8333333333334 g (35.16 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 4-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Auckland Teal
Restricted to predator-free islands of the Auckland Islands subantarctic group (Adams, Disappointment, Ewing islands). Inhabits dense tussock grassland, scrub, and freshwater streams.
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
Auckland Teal
Female gives a short, nasal quack; male produces a barely audible high note. Nearly flightless; extremely quiet and seldom vocal; calls are reduced even compared with other flightless island teals.
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
Auckland Teal
African Black Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Auckland Teal
Dark chocolate-brown plumage; males have iridescent dark green head and white eye-ring. Females dark brown with white eye-ring. Near-flightless. Iridescent speculum. Flightless wings. Auckland Islands endemic.
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
Auckland Teal
A tiny flightless teal with dark brown plumage and a green speculum. Endemic to the Auckland Islands subantarctic group. Wings are reduced, making it completely flightless. Survives only on predator-free islands. Feeds mainly on invertebrates along freshwater streams.
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.