Animals

Cape Teal

Anas Capensis

Not all ducks migrate. Here in North America most ducks and other waterfowl species migrate from their summer breeding grounds in the north to southern regions during the fall. In other parts of the world, especially in warmer climates where food is available year-round, some ducks like the Cape Teal, do not migrate at all. These small ducks are very pale with mainly grey and brown feathers and a pink bill. Both male and females are similar in color unlike most duck species that live in the northern hemisphere where there is a distinct difference in the colors.

Cape Teal feed on aquatic plants, and many of the smaller creatures that live in their wetlands habitats including frogs, insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.

Fun Facts

Classification

Class: Aves

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae

Genus: Anas

Species: A. Capensis

Habitat

Cape Teal can be found around shallow saline lakes, seasonal and permanent brackish or saline pools, rivers, seasonally flooded wetlands, farm dams, state reservoirs, estuaries, lagoons, tidal mudflats, and wastewater treatment pools.