Sunda Teal vs Spotted Whistling-duck
Anas gibberifrons compared with Dendrocygna guttata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sunda Teal | Spotted Whistling-duck |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anas gibberifrons | Dendrocygna guttata |
| Order | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.7 cm (15.2 in) | 41.3 cm (16.3 in) |
| Weight | 409.25 g (14.44 oz) | 677.5 g (23.90 oz) |
| Diet | Dives for aquatic invertebrates, molluscs, and plant matter; diet varies with habitat between freshwater and … | Primarily herbivorous; grazes tundra grasses and sedges; winters on coastal marshes and farmland, switching to … |
| Clutch Size | 7-8 | 10-11 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Sunda Teal
Freshwater lakes, marshes, rice paddies, and coastal wetlands on Indonesian islands including Java, Sulawesi, and the Lesser Sundas. Non-migratory; resident on oceanic islands.
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
Sunda Teal
Female gives a nasal, descending quacking series; male utters a soft whistle. Calls resemble Grey Teal; heard across Indonesian and Philippine freshwater marshes and tidal ponds.
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
Sunda Teal
Breeds in the prairie pothole region and northern boreal zone; winters along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts of North America.
Spotted Whistling-duck
Ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa in open woodland and savanna. Largely sedentary with local seasonal movements to water.
Conservation Status
Sunda Teal
Spotted Whistling-duck
How to Tell Them Apart
Sunda Teal
Dark brown body with finely scalloped pale feather edges. Crown dark; face paler buff-brown. Bill gray. Speculum iridescent green with white borders. Flat forehead profile. Sexes similar. Sunda Islands wetland …
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
Sunda Teal
A medium-sized brown teal with pale spotting, green speculum, and a high domed forehead giving the head a distinctive shape. Found on Indonesian islands from Java and Sulawesi to Lesser Sundas. Non-migratory island species. Threatened by hunting and wetland drainage.
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.