ANIMAL: Puna Teal Spatula puna Type of Animal: Duck Habitat: Lakes, pools, wetlands, marshes, bogs, swamps, typically at altitudes of 13,123.36-15,748.03 ft Location(s): Peruvian Andes, W Bolivia, N Chile, far NW Argentina Appearance: Black cap extending below eyes, creamy white lower face/neck, gray upper tail coverts, dark brown thin striped rear flanks, light coffee w/ dark brown spots on back/chest/lower flanks, large light blue bill w/ black line down middle, short tail, medium-sized duck, sexes look similar though males may be brighter & more boldly patterned Food/Diet: Plant matter, seeds, greens, insects, worms, larvae, pupae, snails, crabs, small fish Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos, wildlife centers, & aviculture Lifestyle: Flocks of 2-20 birds Additional Info: Called: Male: Drake Female: Hen Young: Duckling Group: Flock Weight: 1.19-1.23 lbs Gestation: 1 month Life Span: 10-15 years Height: 1 ft Body Length: 1.57-1.67 ft Tail Length: 0.3 in Sexually mature at a year old. Like many ducks, they mate in water. Usually nest in areas of long grasses. Ducklings fledge at 2 months old. Females usually lay 5-7 eggs. These birds are non-migratory but may travel to lower altitudes in colder weather. Breed either from November-January or April-June. Active during the day (diurnal). Males make weak rattling calls while females make 4-5 syllable decrescendos. Once regarded as a subspecies of Silver Teal. Like other dabbling ducks, they rarely completely submerge themselves, feeding on surface. This species like other members of genus Spatula, once placed in genus Anas. Fun Fact(s): Often seen w/ closely related Silver Teal & sometimes hybridize w/ them. Named for Puna grasslands of Altiplano & Andes where they come from.
