Yellow-billed Teal
Anas flavirostris
Widespread and often common small duck of wetlands, lakes, river mouths, Andean bogs, and streams. Rather small and compact with a dark head, a bright yellow bill (duller for a short while on young birds), and plain grayish sides. The similar Yellow-billed Pintail is larger and more elegant with a paler head and mottled sides. Teal populations in the high Andes (“Altiplano Teal”) have noticeably paler gray sides than southern lowlands birds (“Austral Teal”).
Identification
The namesake bill is bright yellow with a black tip and a black band along the ridge of the culmen.The species is somewhat similar to the larger yellow-billed pintail, but has a darker head, shorter neck and plain grayish sides.
Taxonomy
Mitochondrial DNA sequence data is most similar to that of the very different-looking green-winged teal. Apart from the mystifying relationship with the red-and-green-headed teals, it altogether most resembles the Indian Ocean radiation of teals. However, the yellow-billed teal's unicolored underside and namesake bill are unique, as is to be expected from a species that evolved half a world apart from Bernier's or the grey teal.<p>This species is also unique among its relatives in some aspects of its post-copulation behavior: After dismounting, the drakes stretch themselves up high and swim around and alongside the females.<p>Traditionally, there are 2 subspecies:<p>Previously, this species and the Andean teal formed the superspecies speckled teal, but increasingly taxonomists consider the two species distinct.
- Scientific name
- Anas flavirostris
- Authority
- Vieillot, 1816
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Anas
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk
Tachyspiza erythrauchen
A small, slender hawk with a yellow bill base, yellow legs, and orange-yellow eyes. Adults are slaty-gray above with a rufous collar and a vinous breast that fades on the belly to light pink in the north Moluccas and to white in the south Moluccas. Immatures are brown and heavily streaked below. Does not soar; typically seen perched. Inhabits tall forest from sea level to foothills. Confined to the Moluccas. Rufous collar of adult separates it from adult Chinese Sparrowhawk, Moluccan Goshawk, and central Moluccan Variable Goshawks. Smaller than Moluccan, Meyer’s, and north Moluccan Variable Goshawks. Paler-bellied than Moluccan and Variable Goshawks. Immature Rufous-necked Sparrowhawk is streaked underneath, without bars, unlike immatures of Moluccan and Variable Goshawks and Chinese Sparrowhawk. Immature Meyer’s Goshawk is similar, but Rufous-necked is smaller-bodied and smaller-billed. Underwings not white with black tips, unlike Chinese Sparrowhawk. Gives a shrill “ki-ki-ki-ki…” series.
Yellow Flycatcher
Erythrocercus holochlorus
A small and colorful flycatcher with olive-yellow upperparts and yellow underparts. Found in lowland forest, mostly in the canopy. Often joins mixed-species flocks. Somewhat similar to yellow-warblers, but much smaller and found in different habitats. Similar to Livingstone’s Flycatcher, but there is very little overlap in range, and can easily be separated by the olive-green rather than rufous tail. Vocalizes frequently, giving high-pitched, chittering calls and a quick whistled song.
Bower's Shrikethrush
Colluricincla boweri
Sturdy songbird with substantial bill. Male brown above, peach-buff below, with black bill, grayish head, and pale throat and breast with faint streaking. Female and immature similar but with gray bill and thin orange eyering. Inhabits rainforest at higher elevations in the Wet Tropics region above Cairns in far northern Queensland. Song comprised of four quiet notes followed by three loud, ringing notes.
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