Madagascar Teal vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Anas bernieri compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Madagascar Teal | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas bernieri | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.9 cm (15.3 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 365.0 g (12.88 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; diet dominated by hard-shelled benthic invertebrates year-round. | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 2-10 | 10-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Madagascar Teal only
Spotted Whistling-duck only
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.
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
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.
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
Madagascar Teal
Breeds across northern and central North America; winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Madagascar Teal
Spotted Whistling-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.
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
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.
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.