About the Puna Teal
The Puna teal is a species of dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. It was at one time regarded as a subspecies of the silver teal .
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Puna teal is larger than its closely related species, the silver teal (Spatula versicolor). It measures about 48 cm (19 in) long, similar in size to a wood duck. Males typically weigh between 546 to 560 g and have a wingspan of 215-235 mm. Their bill is 47-53 mm long, compared to 37-41 mm in S. versicolor. Puna teal is easily recognized by its distinctive head and bill patterns. Adult males have a blackish-brown cap that extends below the eyes. They have a creamy white lower face and neck, a coffee-colored back, chest, and flank, and a dark brown rear flank. Voice: The calls of Puna teal differs from those of silver teal. Its "decrescendo" call is shorter, consisting of only 4-5 weaker notes. Other reported vocalizations include a low, chatting sound ("hueer, pt pt pt..."), a mechanical, rising trill ("trrrrr" or "dr-r-r"), and a low alarm call ("whr" or "errr").
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Germany.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Blue-billed TealSpatula hottentotaAdult males have dark brown crown contrasting with paler face, throat, breast and side except for a blackish thumb-shaped patch on the ear region.
Red ShovelerSpatula plataleaThe species has a spatula-shaped bill, a green speculum, and light blue upper wing converts.
Silver TealSpatula versicolorThey have a black cap that extends below the eyes, and a bluish bill with a yellow tip.
Learn the Puna Teal for real
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