| Speckled Teal Anas
flavirostris Chilean name: Pato jergón chico Brazilian name: Marreca-pardinha |
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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. The subspecies shown in photos 1 to 5 is the nominate while photos 6 and 7 show the sub-species A. f. oxyptera . |
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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. | |||
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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. |
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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. |
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There are recordings and a distribution map on xeno-canto. | |||
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