Brown Teal vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Anas chlorotis compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brown Teal | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas chlorotis | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 683.6 g (24.11 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Eats molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; dives in coastal and freshwater habitats; diet shifts seasonally. | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 5-6 | 10-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Brown Teal
Dense shrubland, forest streams, freshwater ponds, and coastal wetlands in northern New Zealand, especially Northland and predator-free offshore islands. Most active at dusk and dawn.
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
Brown Teal
Female gives a soft, nasal quacking call; male produces a high, whistled peep. Both sexes are quiet; unobtrusive calls suit this threatened New Zealand nocturnal duck.
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
Brown Teal
Breeds in boreal Canada; winters on the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida. Dives in saltwater bays and estuaries.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Brown Teal
Spotted Whistling-duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Brown Teal
Dark brown body with fine mottling. Males have iridescent green head sheen, white eye-ring, and chestnut breast. Females duller and browner with paler face and white eye-ring. Iridescent green speculum. …
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
Brown Teal
A small brown duck with white eye-ring in males, dark brown plumage with chestnut flanks, and green speculum. Formerly widespread; now largely restricted to offshore islands and Northland, New Zealand. Endangered; predator control essential for survival.
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.