• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Difference between revisions of "Cape Teal" - BirdForum Opus

Page Discussion
View source History
m (Photo spacing.)
(18 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
;Anas capensis
+
'''Alternative name: Cape Wigeon'''
−
[[Image:Cape_Teal.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Gigo]]
+
[[Image:Cape_Teal.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo &copy; by {{user|safariranger|Robert Weinand}}<br/>Etosha National Park, [[Namibia]], 17 December 2006]]
−
The Cape Teal, Anas capensis is a 44-46 cm long dabbling duck of open wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa.
+
;[[:Category:Anas|Anas]] capensis
−
 
+
==Identification==
−
This species is essentially non-migratory, although it moves opportunistically with the rains. Like many southern ducks, the sexes are similar. It is very pale and mainly grey, with a browner back and pink on the bill (young birds lack the pink). The Cape Teal cannot be confused with any other duck in its range.
+
[[Image:X4T4168 cape teal 02 800b.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Note yellow eye.<br />Photo &copy; by {{user|wim+de+groot|Wim de Groot}}<br />Big Momela Lake, [[Arusha National Park]], [[Tanzania]], 25 July 2007]]
−
 
+
Length 44-46 cm (17&frac34;")<br />
−
It is a thinly distributed but widespread duck, rarely seen in large groups except the moulting flocks, which may number up to 2,000.
+
====Adult====
−
 
+
*Speckled head
−
This species feeds on aquatic plants and small creatures obtained by dabbling. The nest is on the ground under vegetation and near water.
+
*Pink bill
−
 
+
*Pale and mainly grey plumage
−
This is a generally quiet species, except during mating displays. The breeding male has a clear whistle, whereas the female has a feeble "quack".
+
*Browner back
−
 
+
*In flight shows dark greenish speculum surrounded by white
−
The Cape Teal is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
+
*Sexes are similar although females average smaller chest spots and paler bill
−
 
+
====Immature====
−
 
+
Young birds lack the pink bill<br />
−
 
+
====Variations====
 +
Eye color variable. Usually ruby-red in the South; yellow in the North.
 +
====Similar Species====
 +
[[Red-billed Duck]] is darker with a distinct dark cap.
 +
==Distribution==
 +
[[Africa]]<br />
 +
'''Northern Africa''': [[Libya]] and [[Egypt]]<br />
 +
'''Western Africa''': [[Nigeria]], [[Niger]], [[Chad]], [[Cameroon]], [[DRC]] and [[Angola]]<br />
 +
'''Eastern Africa''': [[Sudan]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Kenya]], [[Burundi]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zambia]] and [[Mozambique]]<br />
 +
'''Southern Africa''': [[Namibia]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[KwaZulu-Natal]] and [[Lesotho]]
 +
==Taxonomy==
 +
Sometimes placed in genus ''Nettion''<sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup>
 +
This is a [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.
 +
==Habitat==
 +
Open wetland areas of fresh or saline water.
 +
A species covered under AEWA<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>.
 +
==Behaviour==
 +
A dabbling duck, they feed by dipping at the surface of the water. 
 +
====Diet====
 +
Aquatic invertebrates (insects and their larvae, crustaceans) and small amphibians (tadpoles); also plant matter, principally seeds and leaves of Potamogeton ''pectinatus'' (Sago pondweed)
 +
====Breeding====
 +
The ground nest is placed under vegetation near water.
 +
====Vocalisation====
 +
Mostly silent.<br />
 +
'''Breeding male''': a clear whistle
 +
'''Female''': a quiet "quack".
 +
====Movements====
 +
Mainly sedentary, though may wander widely during droughts and appear well outside normal range.
 +
==References==
 +
#{{Ref-Clements6thAug17}}#Avibase
 +
#African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement
 +
#Carboneras, C. & Kirwan, G.M. (2018). Cape Teal (''Anas capensis''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/52870 on 5 July 2018).
 +
#{{Ref-Hockeyetal05}}#{{Ref-SinclairHockyArlott05}}
 +
#Wikipedia
 +
{{ref}}
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
−
 
+
{{GSearch|Anas_Capensis}}
−
[[Category:Birds]]
+
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Anas]]

Revision as of 08:36, 6 July 2018

Alternative name: Cape Wigeon

Photo © by Robert Weinand
Etosha National Park, Namibia, 17 December 2006
Anas capensis

Identification

Note yellow eye.
Photo © by Wim de Groot
Big Momela Lake, Arusha National Park, Tanzania, 25 July 2007

Length 44-46 cm (17¾")

Adult

  • Speckled head
  • Pink bill
  • Pale and mainly grey plumage
  • Browner back
  • In flight shows dark greenish speculum surrounded by white
  • Sexes are similar although females average smaller chest spots and paler bill

Immature

Young birds lack the pink bill

Variations

Eye color variable. Usually ruby-red in the South; yellow in the North.

Similar Species

Red-billed Duck is darker with a distinct dark cap.

Distribution

Africa
Northern Africa: Libya and Egypt
Western Africa: Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, DRC and Angola
Eastern Africa: Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique
Southern Africa: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho

Taxonomy

Sometimes placed in genus Nettion[4] This is a monotypic species[1].

Habitat

Open wetland areas of fresh or saline water. A species covered under AEWA[3].

Behaviour

A dabbling duck, they feed by dipping at the surface of the water.

Diet

Aquatic invertebrates (insects and their larvae, crustaceans) and small amphibians (tadpoles); also plant matter, principally seeds and leaves of Potamogeton pectinatus (Sago pondweed)

Breeding

The ground nest is placed under vegetation near water.

Vocalisation

Mostly silent.
Breeding male: a clear whistle Female: a quiet "quack".

Movements

Mainly sedentary, though may wander widely during droughts and appear well outside normal range.

References

  1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
  2. Avibase
  3. African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement
  4. Carboneras, C. & Kirwan, G.M. (2018). Cape Teal (Anas capensis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/52870 on 5 July 2018).
  5. Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533
  6. Sinclair, I., Hockey, P.A.R., and Arlott, N. (2005). The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town. ISBN 978-1775840992
  1. Wikipedia

Recommended Citation

External Links

Retrieved from ‘https://www.birdforum.net/wiki/index.php?title=Cape_Teal&oldid=232110’
Back
Top