Red Billed Teal

Distribution

This duck is an abundant resident breeder in southern and eastern Africa typically south of 10° S.

Diet

Red-billed Teals primarily feed on aquatic plants and invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or in a small flock at night. They feed by dipping and dabbling their head under the water surface, and up-ending their entire body to reach deeper food items.

Information

The red-billed teal is 43–48 centimetres (17–19 in) long and has a blackish cap and nape, contrasting pale face, and bright red bill. The body plumage is a dull dark brown scalloped with white. Flight reveals that the secondary flight feathers are buff with a black stripe across them. The sexes are similar, but juveniles are duller than adults.

Red Billed Teal

Other birds