Laysan Teal:
Native to Laysan Island only and believed to be an isolated form of the mallard.  First discovered in 1882 and has been on the verge of extinction a number of times.  Only six were found in 1911.  Captive breeding has brought the species back from the brink.

Chestnut Teal:
This Australian teal rarely leaves the water, preferring to feed on the water but is also often seen running quite easily during the breeding season while looking for suitable nesting sites.  A teal of coastal regions with hollow trees as the most common nesting sites. 

Baikal Teal:
Not a great deal of information is known about this Siberian teal in the wild, however, the wild numbers are declining because of excessive hunting and the draining of marshland for agriculture.  It was at one time very abundant.

Falcated Duck:
A Siberian duck that resembles a man in a tuxedo when the males are in full breeding plumage.  The duck is little known in the wild because it is very shy and elusive, making it difficult to study its habits.

Sharpwing Teal:
The South American Sharpwing has the most southern distribution of all the teal, living in Argentina and the Falkland Islands.  It is skilled at perching in trees to evade predators, and it is agile enough to maneuver through the canopy of trees.

Green Winged Teal:
The smallest duck native to North America, which is breeding throughout Canada, Alaska, and the northern continental United States.  It is also an extreme fast flier.

European Widgeon:
The European duck is adept at grazing on short grasses, almost like geese, and is most often seen in small groups, preferring not to mingle with other species.

American Widgeon:
This North American widgeon prefers fresh water more than the European widgeon, but it is adept at grazing like the European.  It also often steals food from diving ducks like Canvasbacks when they rise to the surface.

Chiloe Widgeon:
This South American widgeon is mainly vegetarian, enjoying to graze on short grass like the other two widgeon species.  This is one of few duck species where the males take part in the rearing and defense of the ducklings.

Silver Bahama Pintail:
This South American pintail is found only in tropical and subtropical regions with most species being non-migratory.  Remarkably tame in the Galapagos islands.  Sexes have similar plumage.

Northern Pintail:
This pintail ranges across most of the northern hemisphere.  Their long necks enable them to exploit slightly deeper water than other dabbling ducks, also feeding on land where they walk gracefully.  Next to the mallard, the pintail is the most numerous duck in North America.

Cape Teal:
African teal with a distinctly pale appearance about the head.  It is closely related to the pintails.  The sexes have similar plumage.

Hottentot Teal:
This African teal is the smallest of the dabbling ducks and the only one with glossy green wings.  It is rather sluggish and prefers to swim away or hide rather than fly.  Sexes have similar plumage.

Silver Teal:
South American teal who are fresh water ducks and are usually found in small parties.  Feeding on mainly vegetable matter, seeds, or aquatic plants and some insects.  Sexes are similar in appearance.

Cinnamon Teal:
Widely distributed across both North and South America.  Believed to be a link between the blue wing teal and the shovlers.  Nest very well concealed, often with a tunnel of dead grass as an entrance close to the water.

Argentine Red Shoveler:
South American shoveler, least awkward of the four species of the shoveler, with a smaller bill and a long, pointed tail.  It is omnivorous.

Northern Shoveler:
Ranges across most of Europe, Asia, and North America.  Most noticeable is that the bill at the tip is twice as wide as at the base.  The bill is always carried at a downward tilt, even in flight.  Shape of the head is an identification factor.

Ringed Teal:
Central South American species. Very little is known about its habits in the wild state, where its range is limited to rain forests.  It is also not very numerous.  They frequently perch in trees but also nest in tree holes.  Males stay in breeding plumage all year long unlike the northern waterfowl males.

New Zealand Shoveler:

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Copyright � 2003
Last modified: April 02, 2003