Auckland Teal vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Anas aucklandica compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Auckland Teal | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas aucklandica | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 522.25 g (18.42 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; diet dominated by hard-shelled prey in coastal habitats. | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 10-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Auckland Teal only
None
Spotted Whistling-duck only
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.
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
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.
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
Auckland Teal
Breeds in Arctic and sub-Arctic North America; winters on Pacific and Atlantic coasts south to California and the Carolinas.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Auckland Teal
Spotted Whistling-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.
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
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.
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.