How to identify the Hottentot Teal

To correctly identify the Hottentot Teal (Spatula hottentota), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

33-38 cm

Wingspan

50-58 cm

Weight

200-280 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults have a dark brown to black cap extending from the forehead to the nape, contrasting sharply with pale buffy-white cheeks and throat. The body plumage is largely mottled brown, with darker brown on the back and paler, finely barred flanks. The breast is buffy-brown with fine dark spotting. The undertail coverts are dark. The speculum (a patch on the secondary flight feathers) is iridescent green, bordered by white bars, visible in flight and sometimes at rest.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Relatively small, spatulate bill, blue-grey with a black tip and a black line along the culmen.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Dark grey to blackish.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The most distinctive features are the dark cap, pale cheeks, and blue-grey bill with a black tip. The iridescent green speculum is also a key identifier.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage, less distinct facial markings, and a less vibrant speculum. The cap may be less sharply defined, and the overall coloration is more muted.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. They maintain the same plumage year-round.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Males and females are largely monomorphic in plumage, making them difficult to distinguish visually. Males may be slightly larger, and during courtship, males may have a slightly brighter bill color.

Key field marks

• Head Pattern. Look for the striking contrast between the dark brown/black cap and the pale buffy-white cheeks and throat. This is the most reliable field mark.
• Bill Color. Observe the bill, which is blue-grey with a distinct black tip and a black line along the culmen.
• Speculum. In flight, or sometimes at rest, look for the iridescent green speculum bordered by white bars on the secondary flight feathers.
• Size and Shape. Note its small size and typical dabbling duck posture, often with its tail slightly cocked.
• Behavior. Its shy nature and preference for well-vegetated, shallow waters can also aid identification.

Explore the Hottentot Teal