Red-billed teal
Scientific name: Anas erythrorhyncha
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Compact dabbling duck with distinctive red bill and red legs. Males display chestnut-brown head and darker upperparts; females are duller and more uniform.
Size and weight
0.3–0.4 kg; 37–41 cm. Minimal sexual dimorphism.
Habitat
Shallow ponds, marshes, and wetlands with sparse emergent vegetation. Favours low-lying areas and seasonal water bodies.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa; concentrated in shallow freshwater wetlands and temporary pools.
Diet
Primarily aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates; diet shifts seasonally with water levels and vegetation availability.
Behaviour
Crepuscular feeder, often in small parties. Swift, direct flight; restless and mobile between feeding sites.
Hunting tips
Look for dabbling marks and droppings at shallow margins. Approach downwind through vegetation during dawn or dusk. Small decoys and quiet calls can draw birds; expect explosive takeoffs and low escape flights.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.