Puna teal
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Spatula puna

The Puna teal (Spatula puna ) is a species of dabbling duck in the family Anatidae. It was at one time regarded as a subspecies of the silver teal.

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The Puna teal is resident in the Andes of Peru, western Bolivia, northern Chile, and extreme northwestern Argentina. It is found on the larger lakes and pools in the altiplano.

The status of the Puna teal is Least Concern, as listed on the IUCN Red List.

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Appearance

The Puna teal is 19 inches (480 mm) long, similar in size to a wood duck. They have a black cap that extends to below the eyes. Their lower face and neck are creamy white. Their upper tail coverts are gray, and their rear flanks are dark brown with thin stripes. Back, chest and lower flanks are light coffee with dark brown spots. Their bill is large, light blue with a black line down the middle.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms
Puna teal habitat map
Puna teal habitat map
Puna teal
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Habits and Lifestyle

In the wild they live in small groups of their own kind or with the closely related silver teal. Puna teal lay their eggs between April and June. Like swans and geese both parents rear the ducklings. They lay their eggs in long grass, not always close to the water. The eggs are a creamy pink colour of which there may be several. The relationship between the male and female may be long term.

Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

References

1. Puna teal Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puna_teal
2. Puna teal on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22680326/92855733
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/498666

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