Ringed Teal in Argentina

Male (left) and female Ringed Teal (Callonetta leucophrys) are surprising in several ways.

They are only distant relatives of other N. or S. American Teal or dabblers. Recent genetic analyses link Ringed Teal to steamer ducks (flightless eider-like ducks in S. America). Ringed Teal simply behave like teal and are diminutive.

Ringed Teal are interesting because they nest in tree cavities in the subtropics or they use old stick nests of colonial Monk Parakeets (photos below).

Unlike many of the ducks that winter here in central Argentina, these birds breed to the north (N. Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, S. Brazil) and migrate south in winter.

-Frank