Andean Teal vs African Pygmy-goose

Anas andium comparé à Nettapus auritus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Andean Teal African Pygmy-goose
Nom scientifique Anas andium Nettapus auritus
Ordre Anseriformes Anseriformes
Famille Anatidae Anatidae
Statut de conservation Least Concern Least Concern
Longueur
Envergure 44,8 cm (17.6 in) 29,9 cm (11.8 in)
Poids 457,0 g (16.12 oz) 272,5 g (9.61 oz)
Régime alimentaire -- Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding …
Taille de la couvée 5-13 6-12
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Andean Teal only

Aucun(e)

African Pygmy-goose only

Aucun(e)

Andean Teal

High-altitude freshwater lakes, marshes, and boggy streams at 2,500–4,500 m in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Strongly associated with paramo and subpáramo wetlands.

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

Andean Teal

Chant

Male gives a clear, whistled note; female produces a soft quacking series. Subdued vocalizations of this high-altitude Andes teal blend with the wind across paramo lakes.

African Pygmy-goose

Chant

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

Andean Teal

African Pygmy-goose

Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.

Statut de conservation

Least Concern

Andean Teal

Least Concern

African Pygmy-goose

How to Tell Them Apart

Andean Teal

Plumage

Brown body with fine dark spotting; head grayish-brown. Yellow bill with darker culmen. Iridescent green speculum with white front border. Legs grayish-orange. Sexes similar. High-altitude Andean specialist.

African Pygmy-goose

Plumage

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

Andean Teal

A small brown teal with yellow bill and green speculum. Closely related to Yellow-billed Teal; sometimes considered conspecific. Restricted to high-altitude Andean wetlands of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Listed as Near Threatened due to wetland loss.

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.

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