Madagascar Teal vs Mallard
Anas bernieri compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Madagascar Teal | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas bernieri | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.9 cm (15.3 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 365.0 g (12.88 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; diet dominated by hard-shelled benthic invertebrates year-round. | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | 2-10 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
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.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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.
Mallard
Female gives the classic 'quack-quack-quack', descending in pitch. Male utters soft nasal 'raeb-raeb'. Both give a high 'gag-gag-gag' when alarmed or taking flight.
Geographic Range & Migration
Madagascar Teal
Breeds across northern and central North America; winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Madagascar Teal
Mallard
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.
Mallard
Breeding males have an iridescent green head, white neck ring, chestnut breast, and grey body. Females are mottled brown. Both sexes show a blue speculum bordered by white.
Broad, flat bill — yellow-green in males, orange-brown in females
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.
Mallard
The mallard is the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds and the most abundant and widespread dabbling duck in the world. Males perform elaborate courtship displays including head-bobbing and whistle-grunt calls. Mallards are highly adaptable, thriving in both wilderness and urban environments.