Ringed Teal
Ringed teals are one of the smallest species of wood ducks. They nest in tree cavities, lining their nests with soft down. Males have a distinctive pinkish breast speckled with black, chestnut-coloured wings, blue bills, and an iridescent green patch on their flight feathers, while females are more subtly patterned with a brown-and-white facial design. Unlike many other wood ducks, ringed reals do not lose their colourful plumage after the breeding season.
Diet
Ringed teals are omnivorous, feeding on a mix of aquatic plants, invertebrates, seeds, and shoots. They are considered dabbling ducks, meaning they do not dive underwater but instead tip forward, submerging only their heads and upper bodies to forage for food.
FUN FACT
Males play a significant role in raising their young, often following behind ducklings that lag or get separated. In some cases, bonded pairs may raise two broods in a single breeding season, with the male continuing to care for the first group while the female incubates a second clutch of eggs.
LIFE SPAN
Approximately 15 years.
HABITAT
Native to South America, ringed teals inhabit swampy forests, marshy clearings, and wetland areas with dense vegetation. They are found in northwest Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, and Uruguay. Despite being waterfowl, they are excellent perchers due to their specialised webbed toes with long, pointed claws, which help them balance on tree branches.
