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The Cape Teal (Anas capensis) is a pale grey, dabbling duck from sub-Saharan Africa, known for its distinctive pink bill, preferring salty wetlands and sewerage ponds, feeding on plants/insects, being mostly non-migratory but nomadic, and having quiet calls except for a male's whistle during breeding, with nests on the ground and female-only incubation.
Appearance & Identification
Color: Pale grey with mottled feathers, browner back, and distinct white wing markings in flight.
Bill: Pink with black edges and base, a key feature distinguishing it from other ducks.
Size: Small, about the size of a small house cat (44-46 cm long).
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Habitat & Behavior
Habitat: Found in diverse wetlands, especially salty vleis, saltpans, and man-made lagoons across Africa.
Movement: Nomadic, moving opportunistically with rains, but generally non-migratory.
Feeding: Dabbling duck, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, crustaceans, and tadpoles, sometimes diving.
Vocalization: Mostly quiet, with a male's clear whistle and a female's weak quack during mating.
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Reproduction
Nesting: Shallow ground nests lined with vegetation and feathers near water.
Eggs: Lays 4-13 eggs, incubated solely by the female for about 26-30 days.
Chicks: Instinctively swim and dive; stay with mother for about 56 days.
Interesting Facts
Dietary adaptation: Has tooth-like serrations on its bill for filter feeding.
Social: Can form large moulting flocks of up to 2000 birds.
Conservation: Listed as Least Concern (LC) by IUCN.
