Red-billed Teal

The Red-billed Teal is a small surface duck of the Anas genus, which includes the teals. English speakers call it the Red-billed Teal, whose French name is an exact translation. This small duck is recognizable by its head, the most contrasted part of its body, which is typical of the species. A clearly defined dark brown band starts at the upper base of its bill and extends to the back of its neck. This contrasts with the pale ochre cheeks. Of course, the pinkish red bill with a black line on the ridge and a dark brown tab. The eye is brown-black. The upper parts, including the wings, are brown-black with fine light ochre laces. The neck and underside to the tail are white spotted more or less coarsely with light brown. The sides are more broadly with a scaly appearance. In flight, the secondary remiges and the tips of the large light ochre coverts form a clearly visible light area. The legs are slate gray. The two sexes are similar. The only small difference is in the intensity of the bill's red, a little brighter in the male and in size, a little greater in the latter. The breeding male is not distinguished from the non-breeding male. Indeed, even after the molt which takes place after the breeding season, there is no eclipse plumage. The young bird is darker, duller, redder, with a bluish bill and a brown area on the side of the neck.