Auckland Teal vs Black-headed Duck
Anas aucklandica compared with Heteronetta atricapilla
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Auckland Teal | Black-headed Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas aucklandica | Heteronetta atricapilla |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) | 34.7 cm (13.7 in) |
| Weight | 522.25 g (18.42 oz) | 528.5 g (18.64 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; diet dominated by hard-shelled prey in coastal habitats. | Parasitic; adults may feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and invertebrates in South American marshes. Diet … |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 2 |
| 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.
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.
Black-headed Duck
Male gives a soft, raspy peeping note; female produces a muted quack. An obligate brood parasite with reduced vocalizations; subdued calls suit its secretive lifestyle among Argentine reeds.
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.
Black-headed Duck
Resident in southern South America from southern Brazil and Bolivia south to Argentina and Chile. Found on lakes and marshes in open lowlands.
Conservation Status
Auckland Teal
Black-headed 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.
Black-headed Duck
Male has distinctive jet-black head and neck, warm chestnut-brown back, and pale buff underparts; blue-grey bill with red base. Female is streaked brown above with pale supercilium and whitish underparts.
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.
Black-headed Duck
A small diving duck (~530 g) of South America, family Anatidae, and the sole member of genus Heteronetta. Inhabits freshwater marshes and lakes in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Unique among waterfowl as an obligate brood parasite, laying eggs in nests of coots and other waterbirds. Feeds on seeds and aquatic invertebrates. Least Concern.