Auckland Teal vs African Pygmy-goose
Anas aucklandica compared with Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Auckland Teal | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas aucklandica | Nettapus auritus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 522.25 g (18.42 oz) | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; diet dominated by hard-shelled prey in coastal habitats. | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 1-6 | 6-12 |
| 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 Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers with floating water lilies and other aquatic vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Tanzania. Nests in tree cavities near water. Highly dependent on water lily vegetation.
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 Pygmy-goose
Male produces a soft, wheezy whistle; female gives a quiet, duck-like quack. Pairs exchange rapid twittering notes during courtship on lily-covered African pools.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Auckland Teal
African Pygmy-goose
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 Pygmy-goose
Tiny. Males have glossy dark green head with orange facial patch and ear spot; chestnut-orange flanks; white underparts; black and green back. Females duller with dark eye-stripe. Small yellow-green bill.
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 Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.