Silver Teals

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.

Silver Teals (Anas versicolor)

Silver Teal

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.

Puna Silver Teal Duck (Anas versicolor puna)

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.

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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.

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