Most authorities still treat Andean Teal as a sub-species of Speckled Teal A. flavirostris however, I find the arguments for treating it as a full species as stated by the South American Classification Committee quite convincing. One of the principal differences is the bill colour with A. flavirostris having a yellow bill and A. andium having a dark bill. As noted in the SACC article, there are other plumage differences.

It is distributed in the Andes of Venezuela, Colombia and northern Ecuador.

It is found at altitude on ponds, lakes and wet bogs at between 2,600 and 4,300 metres.

The subspecies A. a. altipetens is sometimes known as Mérida Teal.