A medium-sized duck of 36 to 43 cm with extraordinarily fine, speckled plumage. The crown, forehead and nape are very dark brown (the hood that gives the species its Spanish name) and contrast with the pale, ochre-toned cheeks and throat. The breast and flanks are finely speckled in white and brown. The wings have a metallic blue-green speculum with a white edge, visible in flight. The bill is pale blue with a yellow patch at the base, the diagnostic trait of the species. The male has more contrasting plumage than the female. It lives on lagoons, marshes and bodies of water with emergent vegetation.
Behaviour
Social. It swims in groups over the lagoons and marshes, swimming among the aquatic vegetation. It filters the water with its bill to extract algae, seeds and small invertebrates. It also eats aquatic insects. It may mix with other duck species in the lagoons of the Iberá.
How and when to see it
Year-round, with greater abundance in autumn and winter when migratory individuals join. The open lagoons of Portal Laguna Iberá and Galarza are the best sites.
Where to see it in the Iberá
The gateways of the Great Iberá Park where silver teal has confirmed presence:
Tours to see it
Verified providers operating at the gateways where silver teal lives. You contact them directly on WhatsApp from the app.
- Esteros Ñe’é
Experiences with local storytelling and a cultural take on the marshes.★ 5.0 - Gaucho Argentino
Horseback journeys across a network of refuges in Iberá. Multi-day rides with overnight…★ 5.0 - Irupé Excursiones
Guided hiking. Guided visit to museums, historic sites, chapels and trails of the town…★ 5.0 - Reserva Estero Camba Trapo
Private nature reserve of Ecoposada del Estero, on the Camba Trapo road. One of the…★ 5.0
Species profile
- Common nameSilver Teal
- Scientific nameSpatula versicolor
- GroupBird
- StatusNative
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