Brown Teal vs Mallard
Anas chlorotis compared with Anas platyrhynchos
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brown Teal | Mallard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas chlorotis | Anas platyrhynchos |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 58.0 cm (22.8 in) |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 90.0 cm (35.4 in) |
| Weight | 683.6 g (24.11 oz) | 1100.0 g (38.80 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Omnivorous — aquatic plants, seeds, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Feeds by dabbling, upending, and grazing … |
| Clutch Size | 5-6 | 4-18 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
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.
Mallard
Nearly any wetland habitat including lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes, estuaries, and urban park ponds.
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.
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
Brown Teal
Mallard
Native across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, and Asia. Introduced to Australia and New Zealand.
Conservation Status
Brown Teal
Mallard
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. …
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
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.
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.