Hottentot Teal

Hottentot Teal (Spatula hottentota) is a duck species endemic to Africa. Also known as the Blue-billed Teal, Hottentot Teal is a small dabbling duck with a dark brown cap or “crown” on its head that extend just below the eyes. This cap can look similar to that of the Red-billed Teal. Below the cap, the rest of the head is a light brown, followed by black-gray “sideburns” that become more separated as the plumage goes down to their chest.  Hottentot Teal’s blue bills have a single black streak running from their face to the tip. Females closely resemble the males but can be differentiated by their lighter stomachs and display mottled flanks. Males have deep green specula that are cut diagonally by a black border and the tips are bright white. The rest of their wings are dark brown, and female’s wings are the same pattern that is slightly muted. The underside of their wings is mostly white with brown tips on the primaries, some secondaries, and lesser wing coverts.