Silver teal

{{Short description|Species of bird}} {{Speciesbox | name = Silver teal | image = Anas versicolor versicolor)- Macho.jpg | image_caption = A male in Brazil | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Spatula versicolor'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T22680329A92855919 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680329A92855919.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Spatula | species = versicolor | authority = (Vieillot, 1816) | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies | subdivision = * ''S. v. versicolor'' (Vieillot, 1816) (northern silver teal) * ''S. v. fretensis'' (King, 1831)) (southern silver teal) | synonyms = ''Anas versicolor'' Vieillot, 1816 | range_map = Spatula versicolor map.svg | range_map_caption = {{leftlegend|#87aade|Non-Breeding}}{{leftlegend|#aa87de|Year-round}}{{leftlegend|#ff9955|Breeding}} }} [[File:Anas versicolor MHNT.ZOO.2010.11.32.4.jpg|thumb| ''Anas versicolor'' - MHNT]]

The '''silver teal''' or '''versicolor teal''' ('''''Spatula versicolor''''') is a species of dabbling duck in the genus ''Spatula''. It breeds in South America.

Between April and June they prefer reed beds and will lay 6 to 10 creamy-pink eggs. The eggs will hatch after 25 to 27 days.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Oiseaux.net |title=Sarcelle bariolée - Spatula versicolor - Silver Teal |url=https://www.oiseaux.net/birds/silver.teal.html |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=www.oiseaux.net |language=en}}</ref> As with swans and geese, both parents will rear the ducklings.<ref name="McKinney 131–138">{{Cite journal|last1=McKinney|first1=Frank|last2=Brewer|first2=Gwen|date=1989-01-01|title=Parental Attendance and Brood Care in Four Argentine Dabbling Ducks|jstor=1368156|journal=The Condor|volume=91|issue=1|pages=131–138|doi=10.2307/1368156}}</ref> A pair may bond long term. It lives on fresh water in small groups, and feeds primarily on vegetable matter such as seeds and aquatic plants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beautyofbirds.com/silverteals.html|title=Silver Teals {{!}} Beauty of Birds|website=www.beautyofbirds.com|access-date=2019-04-11}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eol.org/pages/1048467|title=Anas versicolor Vieillot 1816 - Encyclopedia of Life|website=eol.org|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref>

The silver teal's range includes southern Bolivia, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands,<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> and the Falkland Islands.<ref name="Clements">Clements, J. (2007)</ref> The southernmost birds migrate to southern Brazil in the winter.

Silver teals are on the whole placid ducks but may be protective of eggs, young and females.<ref name="McKinney 131–138"/>

== Description == They have a black cap that extends below the eyes, and a bluish bill with a yellow tip. They also have a green speculum with a white border.<ref>[http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/silverteal.html ArthurGrosset.com]</ref> The female's plumage is slightly duller and has less yellow at the base of the beak.<ref name=":0" />

The Puna teal was previously regarded as a subspecies of this bird. Currently, there are two subspecies: * ''S. versicolor versicolor'' '''northern silver teal''' located in Paraguay, southern Bolivia, and southern Brazil.<ref name="Clements" /> * ''S. versicolor fretensis'' '''southern silver teal''' located in southern Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands.<ref name="Clements" />

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Sources== {{Commons category|Spatula versicolor}} {{Wikispecies|Spatula versicolor}} *Clements, James, (2007) [https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/cup_detail.taf?ti_id=4566 ''The Clements Checklist of the Birds of the World''], Cornell University Press, Ithaca * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060928072538/http://www.ctwaterfowl.org/dabblingducks.htm "Dabbling Ducks"]. Connecticut Waterfowl Trust. April 2, 2003 (Retrieved October 31, 2006).

silver teal silver teal Category:Birds of Argentina Category:Birds of Chile Category:Birds of the Falkland Islands Category:Birds of Paraguay Category:Birds of Uruguay silver teal silver teal