Speckled Teal Anas flavirostris

Chilean name: Pato jergón chico
Brazilian name: Marreca-pardinha
Speckled Teal, near Cassino, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, August 2004 - click for larger image The Speckled Teal is distributed in the Andes from Colombia and Venezuela south to Chile and Argentina and, at lower altitudes to eastern Argentina and the south of Brazil. See the distribution map at xeno-canto.

The subspecies shown in photos 1 to 5 is the nominate while photos 6 and 7 show the sub-species A. f. oxyptera .

Speckled Teal, Caulin, Chiloe, Chile, November 2005 - click for larger image There is an indication in some sources that it only appears in Brazil during the austral winter as it migrates from further south but this is refuted by Belton who not only registers it as a common breeding resident but speculates that it might use Monk Parakeet nests. He does note that large flocks of several hundred birds form at the end of the summer but ringing evidence is required to establish the origin of these flocks.
Speckled Teal, Isla de Quinchão, Chiloe, Chile, December 2005 - click for larger image Its bill is similar to that of Yellow-billed Pintail A. georgica being yellow with a black culmen, but it is smaller with a shorter neck, plain flanks and a speckled head and breast.

The race oxyptera seen in photo 6 and 7 is larger and is much paler on the flanks and tail which look almost white at a distance.
Speckled Teal, Isla de Quinchão, Chiloe, Chile, December 2005 - click for larger image In flight the speculum looks dark but there is a bright green patch on the inner speculum. It is bordered by buff on the leading edge and white on the trailing edge.

For a comparison with Yellow-billed Pintail in flight, click here.

Speckled Teal, Isla de Quinchão, Chiloe, Chile, December 2005 - click for larger image
Speckled Teal, Putre, Chile, February 2007 - click for larger image
Speckled Teal, Putre, Chile, February 2007 - click for larger image
Speckled Teal, Torres del Paine, Chile, December 2005 - click for larger image
Speckled Teal, Torres del Paine, Chile, December 2005 - click for larger image
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