Hottentot teal

Hottentot teal
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Subfamily: Anatinae
Genus: Anas
Species: A. hottentota
Binomial name
Anas hottentota
(Eyton, 1838)
Synonyms
  • Spatula hottentota
  • Anas punctata

The Hottentot teal (Anas hottentota) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Anas. It is migratory resident in eastern and southern Africa, from Sudan and Ethiopia west to Niger and Nigeria and south to South Africa and Namibia.[1][2] In west Africa and Madagascar it is sedentary.

The Hottentot teal breed year round, depending on rainfall, and stay in small groups or pairs. They build nests above water in tree stumps and use vegetation. Ducklings leave the nest soon after hatching, and the mother's parenting is limited to providing protection from predators and leading young to feeding areas.[3] This species is omnivorous and prefers smaller shallow bodies of water.[4]

The Hottentot teal is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies. The status of the Hottentot teal on the IUCN Red List is Least Concern.[1]

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