Madagascar Teal vs African Pygmy-goose
Anas bernieri comparé à Nettapus auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribut | Madagascar Teal | African Pygmy-goose |
|---|---|---|
| Nom scientifique | Anas bernieri | Nettapus auritus |
| Ordre | Anseriformes | Anseriformes |
| Famille | Anatidae | Anatidae |
| Statut de conservation | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Longueur | — | — |
| Envergure | 38,9 cm (15.3 in) | 29,9 cm (11.8 in) |
| Poids | 365,0 g (12.88 oz) | 272,5 g (9.61 oz) |
| Régime alimentaire | Dives for molluscs, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates; diet dominated by hard-shelled benthic invertebrates year-round. | Filter-feeds on invertebrates and seeds; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more plant-based outside spring breeding … |
| Taille de la couvée | 2-10 | 6-12 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Madagascar Teal
Mangroves, coastal lagoons, freshwater lakes, and rivers of western Madagascar. Endangered; restricted to small fragmented wetland areas. Nests in mangrove cavities or tree holes near water.
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
Madagascar Teal
Female gives a nasal, quacking series; male utters a soft whistle. Extremely rare; calls resemble Grey Teal but slightly softer; heard only in restricted Malagasy freshwater habitat.
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
Madagascar Teal
Breeds across northern and central North America; winters in the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean.
African Pygmy-goose
Breeds across temperate to sub-Arctic Eurasia; winters in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Statut de conservation
Madagascar Teal
African Pygmy-goose
How to Tell Them Apart
Madagascar Teal
Plain warm brown plumage with faint spotting; head slightly paler buff-brown. Orange-pink bill. Dull reddish-brown speculum. Orange legs. Sexes similar. Endangered Madagascar endemic; mangrove and coastal wetland specialist.
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
Madagascar Teal
A small brown teal with fine spotted plumage, red eye, and blue-green speculum. Endemic to Madagascar. Endangered; restricted to mangroves, coastal wetlands, and freshwater areas of western Madagascar. Threatened by habitat destruction and hunting.
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.