Birds
Yellow-billed Teal
Anas flavirostris · also called speckled teal
Ranging from high Andean lakes in Colombia all the way south to Tierra del Fuego, a yellow-billed teal covers one of the broadest latitudinal spans of any duck species found anywhere in South America.
Overview
The yellow-billed teal, Anas flavirostris, is a Least Concern bird native to wetland, mountain, and grassland habitat across a vast range of South America, from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego. Its exceptionally broad latitudinal and elevational range, its distinctive bright yellow bill, and its adaptability across dramatically different wetland habitats make it one of the more widely distributed ducks found anywhere on the continent.
A duck spanning an entire continent
Few ducks anywhere match the yellow-billed teal’s reach, comfortable foraging in high Andean lakes near the equator just as readily as in the cold wetlands of Tierra del Fuego thousands of kilometres to the south.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across its vast range throughout South America.
Yellow-billed Teal: common questions
How large is the yellow-billed teal's range?
This species ranges from high Andean lakes in Colombia all the way south to Tierra del Fuego, one of the broadest latitudinal ranges of any duck species in South America.
How can you identify a yellow-billed teal?
This species has a distinctive bright yellow bill, a feature that gives the species its common name and helps distinguish it from similar dabbling ducks.
Why is the yellow-billed teal also called the speckled teal?
This species is also known as the speckled teal, a name referencing its finely marked plumage, and both names are used widely across its range.
Does the yellow-billed teal live at high altitude?
Yes, this species tolerates a wide range of elevations, found from high Andean lakes down to lowland wetlands across its enormous range.