| |
|
|
| |
| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
|
| COMMON
NAME: |
Hottentot
teal |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Anseriformes |
| FAMILY: |
Anatidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Anas
(duck) punctata (spotted) |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| DESCRIPTION: |
This
is a small species of duck with a black head and
nape and buff-colored cheeks and throat. The back
is blackish-brown edged with buff, the breast is
brown spotted with black, and the belly is mottled
buff. These teals have a green wing speculum and
a blue bill with a black streak on the top. The
legs and feet are gray. |
| FEMALE |
Hens
are lighter underneath than males, with mottled
flanks. |
|
| SIZE: |
30-35 cm (12-14 in.) |
|
| WEIGHT: |
Approximately
243 g (8.5 oz) |
|
| DIET: |
Includes
insects, crustaceans, seeds, and vegetation |
|
| INCUBATION: |
21-22 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
5-8
eggs |
| FLEDGING
DURATION |
5
weeks |
|
| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
1-2 years |
|
| LIFE
SPAN: |
Averages
20-30 years |
|
| RANGE: |
Found
in eastern and southern Africa and Madagascar |
|
| HABITAT: |
Inhabits
lakes and pools in open country |
|
| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
|
| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not
listed |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| 1. |
Hottentots
are the smallest species in the genus Anas
as well as one of the smallest species of all waterfowl. |
|
|
| 2. |
Teals
are not very vocal, but males do emit a high-pitched
whistle and the female responds with a nasal quack. |
|
|
| 3. |
These
teals eat by swimming with their bill in the water. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| The
population is decreasing in many parts of Africa
and in Madagascar mostly due to habitat degradation. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Austin,
G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press,
Inc., 1961. |
|
| Gotch,
A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained.
UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981. |
|
|
Johnsgard,
P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World.
Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.
|
|
| Scott,
P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World.
Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988. |
|
| Todd,
F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego,
Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996. |
|
|
|
|
|
