Puna Teal
Puna Teal (Spatula puna) is a dabbling duck that is now considered to be its own species, rather than a subspecies of the Silver Teal. Compared to the Silver Teal, Puna Teal are larger, and the approximate size of this species can be likened to that of a Wood Duck. Their heads display the most recognizable characteristics. Their plumage on the crown is jet-black that ends just below their black eyes and down the neck. Below that cap, the color abruptly changes to cream and gradually turns into a tan breast with dark brown mottling.
Puna Teal bill is also unique, as it is very long, pale blue, and has a line of black that cuts the bill down the middle. It seems sturdier than Silver Teal and lacks the yellow base. Another beautiful feature of this species is the black and white vermiculation of the tail that runs forward to the underbelly. Legs and feet are typically gray. The rest of the plumage on the torso is brown and edged with gray or light brown. Females have similar, more dull, plumage.
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Puna Teal are non-migratory residents of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Lives in small groups of conspecifics and/or Silver Teal, except in the High Andes of Peru, where the Silver Teal’s range does not extend. Favored habitats of this species include bogs (and similar wetlands) with emergent vegetation and large lakes/pools.
Puna Teal Pairs can be long lasting, though the extent of that time period is unknown. Females will lay their eggs from April to June. Eggs are cream in color and can appear somewhat shiny. While most waterfowl tend to lay their eggs near water, Puna Teal sometimes lay their eggs away from water. It all depends of the type of grass near bodies of water, as they prefer to build nests in long grasses. Both Puna Teal parents take part in rearing and protecting their ducklings.
PUNA TEAL. Indigenous to the Andes Mountains where they prefer larger lakes within the altiplano, these beauties were once considered Silver Teal subspecies. Interesting asides: altiplano literally translates to “high plains.” Here in Peru, it’s where the Andes is widest and is most extensive plateau in earth except for Tibet. Peru’s antiplano has much higher rainfall than coastal area that’re mostly desert. Enough to fill the large lakes puna teal live, dabbling along the edges for invertebrates. Half-again larger than silver teal, they’re sky blue bills are divided by a black line, lack the sunshine yellow patch of silvers, and are sturdier.
Puna Teal are non-migratory residents of Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Lives in small groups of conspecifics and/or Silver Teal, except in the High Andes of Peru, where the Silver Teal’s range does not extend. Favored habitats of this species include bogs (and similar wetlands) with emergent vegetation and large lakes/pools.
Puna Teal pairs can be long lasting, though the extent of that time period is unknown. Females will lay their eggs from April to June. Eggs are cream in color and can appear somewhat shiny. While most waterfowl tend to lay their eggs near water, Puna Teal sometimes lay their eggs away from water. It all depends of the type of grass near bodies of water, as they prefer to build nests in long grasses. Both Puna Teal parents take part in rearing and protecting their ducklings.
PUNA TEAL. Indigenous to the Andes Mountains where they prefer larger lakes within the altiplano, these beauties were once considered Silver Teal subspecies. Interesting asides: altiplano literally translates to “high plains.” Here in Peru, it’s where the Andes is widest and is most extensive plateau in earth except for Tibet. Peru’s antiplano has much higher rainfall than coastal area that’re mostly desert. Enough to fill the large lakes puna teal live, dabbling along the edges for invertebrates. Half-again larger than silver teal, they’re sky blue bills are divided by a black line, lack the sunshine yellow patch of silvers, and are sturdier. Puna Teal speculums are sleek green to blue bordered by white and black, light bluegrass wing uppers. As compared to silver teal cousins, they’re browner, duller, their rear flank vermiculations thicker. A member of the genus Spatula, other worldwide cousins include shovelers, garganey ducks, blue-winged and cinnamon teal, sharing similar bark-like quacks. They’re spot-and-stalk hunted. This particular pair were feeding on the margin a huge lake at about 15,000 feet elevation. There was no cover or terrain to approach. So I walked along side the truck. When got in line, the truck stopped, I stepped out. They flushed. Pow, pow. The world’s a lot bigger than our own back yards. Right about the time I think have seen and done it all, step out from behind a Toyota and collect a couple beauties found nowhere else. Keeps life interesting
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