Madagascar Teal vs African Black Duck
Anas bernieri compared with Anas sparsa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Madagascar Teal | African Black Duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas bernieri | Anas sparsa |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.9 cm (15.3 in) | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) |
| Weight | 365.0 g (12.88 oz) | 996.8333333333334 g (35.16 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-10 | 4-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Madagascar Teal
Mangroves, coastal lagoons, freshwater lakes, and rivers of western Madagascar. Endangered; restricted to small fragmented wetland areas. Nests in mangrove cavities or tree holes near water.
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
Madagascar Teal
Female gives a nasal, quacking series; male utters a soft whistle. Extremely rare; calls resemble Grey Teal but slightly softer; heard only in restricted Malagasy freshwater habitat.
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
Madagascar Teal
African Black Duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Madagascar Teal
Plain warm brown plumage with faint spotting; head slightly paler buff-brown. Orange-pink bill. Dull reddish-brown speculum. Orange legs. Sexes similar. Endangered Madagascar endemic; mangrove and coastal wetland specialist.
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
Madagascar Teal
A small brown teal with fine spotted plumage, red eye, and blue-green speculum. Endemic to Madagascar. Endangered; restricted to mangroves, coastal wetlands, and freshwater areas of western Madagascar. Threatened by habitat destruction and hunting.
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.