Cape teal

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Cape teal

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anas
Species:
A. capensis
Binomial name
Anas capensis
Gmelin, 1789

The Cape teal (Anas capensis) also Cape wigeon or Cape widgeon is a 44–46 cm long

dabbling duck of open wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa
.

Taxonomy

Watercolour made by Georg Forster on James Cook's second voyage to the Pacific Ocean. This painting is the holotype for the species.

The Cape teal was

monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[7]

Description

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). This is a generally quiet species, except during mating displays. The breeding male has a clear whistle, whereas the female has a feeble "quack". The Cape teal cannot be confused with any other duck in its range.

This species is essentially non-migratory, although it moves opportunistically with the rains. It is a thinly distributed but widespread duck, rarely seen in large groups except the moulting flocks, which may number up to 2000.

The Cape teal feeds on aquatic plants and small creatures (invertebrates, crustaceans and amphibians)[8] obtained by dabbling. The nest is on the ground under vegetation and near water.

The Cape teal is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (

AEWA
) applies.

Gallery

  • Lake Nakuru, Kenya
    Lake Nakuru, Kenya
  • Serengeti NP
    Serengeti NP
  • Austin Roberts sanctuary, South Africa
    Austin Roberts sanctuary, South Africa
  • Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  • Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  • Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  • Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  • Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  • Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  • Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
    Darville, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680145A92846056.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Gmelin, Johann Friedrich (1789). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae : secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis (in Latin). Vol. 1, Part 2 (13th ed.). Lipsiae [Leipzig]: Georg. Emanuel. Beer. p. 527.
  3. ^ Latham, John (1785). A General Synopsis of Birds. Vol. 3, Part 2. London: Printed for Leigh and Sotheby. p. 519, no. 64.
  4. ^ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 466.
  5. doi:10.5962/p.92313
    .
  6. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4
    .
  7. Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2022). "Screamers, ducks, geese & swans"
    . IOC World Bird List Version 12.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  8. ^ Hockey, P.A.R., Dean, W.R.J., Ryan, P.G. (Eds). 2005. Roberts – Birds of Southern Africa, VIIth ed. The trustees of the John Voelcker bird book fund, Cape Town.

External links

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