Brown Teal vs African Pygmy-goose
Anas chlorotis compared with Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brown Teal | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas chlorotis | Nettapus auritus |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 39.3 cm (15.5 in) | 29.9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Weight | 683.6 g (24.11 oz) | 272.5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Diet | Eats molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; dives in coastal and freshwater habitats; diet shifts seasonally. | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Clutch Size | 5-6 | 6-12 |
| 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.
African Pygmy-goose
Freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers with floating water lilies and other aquatic vegetation across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Tanzania. Nests in tree cavities near water. Highly dependent on water lily vegetation.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Male produces a soft, wheezy whistle; female gives a quiet, duck-like quack. Pairs exchange rapid twittering notes during courtship on lily-covered African pools.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation Status
Brown Teal
African Pygmy-goose
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. …
African Pygmy-goose
Tiny. Males have glossy dark green head with orange facial patch and ear spot; chestnut-orange flanks; white underparts; black and green back. Females duller with dark eye-stripe. Small yellow-green bill.
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.
African Pygmy-goose
A tiny jewel-like duck—one of Africa's smallest waterfowl. Males have iridescent green-and-white plumage, an orange bill, and a dark green cap; females are mottled brown. Found on lily-covered lakes in sub-Saharan Africa. Perches on water lily pads and feeds on their seeds and flowers.