Brazilian teal

Scientific name: Amazonetta brasiliensis

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Males are compact dabbling ducks with chestnut-rufous heads, grey bodies, and distinctive white spots on the breast and flanks; females are duller overall with mottled brown plumage. Both sexes show a small, rounded head profile and relatively short neck typical of teals.

Size and weight

Males 41–46 cm, females 38–41 cm; weight 250–370 g for males, 220–310 g for females.

Habitat

Brazilian teals inhabit shallow freshwater wetlands, marshes, oxbow lakes, and flooded grasslands from lowland areas up to moderate elevations. They favour dense vegetation around water edges and are highly adaptable to both natural and man-made wetland systems.

Distribution

Found throughout much of South America east of the Andes, from the Amazon basin south to Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. They occupy lowland wetlands and are more common in open, grassy marsh systems than in forested waterways.

Diet

Brazilian teals dabble for seeds, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates; they favour grass seeds and sedge seeds seasonally, and opportunistically take insects and small crustaceans.

Behaviour

Highly social and active primarily at dawn and dusk, though they may feed throughout the day. They are strong fliers and often move between water bodies; pairs or small flocks are typical, especially outside breeding season.

Hunting tips

Scout wetlands at dawn and dusk when birds are most active; look for shallow feeding areas and grazing trails along reed edges. Approach from downwind using available vegetation as cover, and concentrate on shallow bays and flooded grassland margins where they congregate to feed. Move slowly and deliberately—these teals are wary and rely on rapid flushing to escape.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 7 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.