The Silver Teal (Anas versicolor) is a species of dabbling duck in the genus Anas.
Distribution / Range
It breeds in South America. It lives on fresh water in small groups, and feeds primarily on vegetable matter such as seeds and aquatic plants.
The Silver Teal’s range includes southern Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, and the Falkland Islands. The southernmost birds migrate to southern Brazil in the winter.
Description
They have a black cap that extends below the eyes, and a bluish bill with a yellow tip. They also have a green speculum (wing anatomy) with a white border.
Nesting / Breeding
They hide their nests in dense vegetation near the shore and lay 5 to 10 eggs between October and December. By February, the majority of chicks have fledged.
Sub-species
The Puna Teal was previously regarded as a subspecies of this bird. Currently, there are two subspecies:
- A. versicolor versicolor Northern Silver Teal located in Paraguay, southern Bolivia, and southern Brazil.
- A. versicolor fretensis Southern Silver Teal located in southern Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands.
More Duck Resources
Diet / Feeding:
Ducks generally feed on larvae and pupae often found under rocks, as well as aquatic animals, plant material, seeds, small fish, snails and crabs.
