Cape Teal vs Mallard
Anas capensis compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cape Teal | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas capensis | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 38.6 cm (15.2 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 423.8333333333333 g (14.95 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; digs in mudflats; diet heavily invertebrate year-round. | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | 5-15 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Cape Teal
Saline, alkaline, and freshwater lakes and pans across sub-Saharan Africa from the Sahel to South Africa. Strongly associated with soda and saline lakes in East Africa's Rift Valley. Nomadic.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
Song & Call Comparison
Cape Teal
Female gives a soft, nasal quacking series; male produces a high, piping whistle. The male's clear, piping call is unexpected for a teal; heard on Cape and Namibian estuaries.
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
Cape Teal
Breeds across the Palearctic; winters on coasts from western Africa around to Southeast Asia and Australia.
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Cape Teal
Mallard
How to Tell Them Apart
Cape Teal
Pale gray-brown plumage with fine dark spotting on breast. Pink bill with dark ridge. Iridescent green-and-black speculum with white borders. Pale head. Sexes similar. African saline and alkaline lake 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
Cape Teal
A small pale grey teal with pink bill, orange-red eye, and green speculum. The palest duck in Africa. Found on saline and alkaline lakes and pans across sub-Saharan Africa. Nomadic; follows shifting water availability. Feeds by filter-dabbling.
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.