Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Small distinctive duck. Males have a pinkish breast that is spotted in black with a rich chestnut wing and a metallic green patch on the flight feathers. Note the blue bill. Females have a striking brown-and-white face pattern, and are mostly brown above and mottled or banded brown below. In flight shows dark wings with white-and-green bands. Occurs in marshes and swamps with abundant vegetation; can be even seen perched on fences or low trees.
Identification
The male and female remain colourful throughout the year, lacking an eclipse plumage. The drake has a rich chestnut back, pale grey flanks, and a salmon-coloured breast speckled in black. A black band runs from the top of its head down to the nape. Females have an olive-brownish back, a head blotched and striated in white, and pencilled barring on a pale chest and belly. Both males and females have a dark tail, a contrasting pale rump, and a distinctive white patch on the wing. Bills are grey and legs and feet are pink in both sexes. Pairs easily bond. Their contact calls are a cat-like mee-oowing in ducks and a lingering peewoo in drakes. Most ringed teals average 14–15 inches (36–38 cm) long, with a 28-inch (71 cm) wingspan. Individuals typically weigh 11–12 ounces (310–340 g). Ringed teals also have webbed toes with long, pointed claws that specialize in allowing the birds to sit on tree branches. These specialized toes are unique, as most waterfowl cannot easily remain perched on tree branches.<p>The ringed teal breeds in north-west Argentina and Paraguay, also occurring in Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay. Upon reaching sexual maturity, ringed teals form strong pair bonds. These pair bonds typically last a single breeding season but can last for the lifetime of a pair. A pair bond begins with the male courting the female. In general, courting consists of large amounts of preening, flashing the iridescent green speculum, and swimming in figure eights around the female of interest while vocalizing. Once a pair bond is solidified, mating occurs in the water. Nests are usually created out of hollow holes in tree cavities. The nests are lined with down, and the female tends to be the defender of the nest. The male will defend the female against other males and potential predators throughout their pair bond. Females typically lay 6-12 eggs that are white in colour. The eggs are incubated for an average of 29 days. Both male and female participate incubating the eggs, but one captive study shows that the females were solely responsible for incubation.[citation needed] Hatched chicks are precocial, having a layer of down and effectively walking, functioning, and feeding themselves. Although the chicks hatch with a layer of feather down, it is not immediately waterproof. Until their own oil glands are fully developed, chicks receive their waterproofing oils from contact with their parents' feathers. Both the male and female play a large role in raising and defending the chicks until fledging at 50–55 days old. The male tends to be the most invested and will often be seen following behind separated or slower chicks. Until fledging, the chicks stay in a close group and learn quickly from their parents how to forage, swim efficiently, and avoid predators. The bonded pair is often able to produce two groups of offspring in one breeding season. The male will continue to care for the first group of chicks while the female incubates the second group of eggs. The ringed teal's pair bonding behaviour makes reproduction very efficient. It is possible for a bonded pair to have laid and hatched up to 24 offspring by the end of a breeding season.<p>Their habitats include tropical, swampy forests and marshy clearings in well-wooded lowlands, as well as secluded pools and small streams. As a predominantly aquatic species, ringed teals eat a variety of aquatic plants and invertebrates, as well as any seeds that can be found. Ringed teals are classified as “dabblers” as opposed to “divers”. Dabblers tend to feed on plant and insect material near the surface of the water, where as divers feed on plants, invertebrates, and fish deeper under the water's surface. Although dabblers may submerge their heads and upper torso while putting their tails up in the air, also known as “up-ending”, they rarely completely submerge themselves and stay under for periods of time, such as the divers do.<p>Ringed teals can live up to 15 years in captivity, however, an average life span is not known for wild individuals.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Callonetta leucophrys
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1816)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Callonetta
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Diglossa carbonaria
Fairly common flowerpiercer of the highlands of the Bolivian Andes, above the upper limit of humid forest. Occurs in most areas with habitat containing vegetation over 1m high, including Polylepis forest, gardens, towns, wooded ravines, and tall scrublands. Mostly absent from the Altiplano desert. Generally forages in pairs or small groups, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks. Plumage quite distinctive.
Ayres's Hawk-Eagle
Hieraaetus ayresii
Small black-and-white eagle. Has a compact, powerful shape, and the hint of a crest. The upperparts are black, and there are heavy black markings on the underparts and evenly across the underwing. Found in thick woodland and forest. Soars frequently. Call is a loud, repeated “kwee-ya.” Similar to other hawk-eagles, but has more heavily marked underparts. Easily separated in flight, when Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle shows black barring across the entire underwing.
Philippine Green-Pigeon
Treron axillaris
A medium-sized pigeon of lowland and foothill forest canopy, with green underparts, head, and rump, a gray crown, yellow wingbars and edges to the flight feathers, a whitish belly, and white under the base of the tail. Note the whitish bill with a reddish base and the blue eyes. Male has a maroon shoulder and back, where the female is green. Similar to Thick-billed Green-Pigeon, but Philippine has a thinner bill and lacks the green skin around the eye. Female resembles female Pink-necked Green-Pigeon, but that species has yellow marks only on the edge of the wing. Voice is typical of green-pigeons, including a rising-and-falling out-of-tune whistled song.
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