Andaman teal
| Andaman teal | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Illustration by Keulemans (1908) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Genus: | Anas |
| Species: | A. albogularis |
| Binomial name | |
| Anas albogularis (Hume, 1873) | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Mareca albogularis Hume, 1873 | |
The Andaman teal (Anas albogularis) is a species of duck found on oceanic islands in the Bay of Bengal. The species was formerly considered as a subspecies of the Sunda teal.
Taxonomy
The first formal description of the Andaman teal was by the English ornithologist Allan Octavian Hume in 1873 under the binomial name Mareca albogularis.[3] It is now placed with many other dabbling ducks in the genus Aras.[4] It was formerly considered as a subspecies of the Sunda teal (Anas gibberifrons) that is found in Indonesia.[4]
Description
The species is dark brown with buffy markings. The face and throat are pale with a white ring around the eye. The bill is bluish grey and the iris is red.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Andaman teals are endemic to the Andaman Islands (India) and Great Coco Island (Burma). They are found in inland pools as well as mangroves and lagoons.[6][7] A population estimate of 500 to 600 individuals was made in a survey conducted in 1995–98, and 674 were counted in 2005.[8] Their population has been on the increase for the last few decades, and was most recently estimated in 2014 to have slightly more than 1,000 individuals.[1]
Behavior
They feed at night in rice fields. The breeding season is July to October and nests in reed patches. The nest is made of grass and about nine eggs forms the clutch.[9] They were formerly considered to breed in tree hollows but recent studies found no evidence. They feed mainly on molluscs and arthropods.[8]
References
- 1 2 BirdLife International (2014). "Anas albogularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
- ↑ Richmond Index card
- ↑ Hume, Allan Octavian (1873). "Novelties: Mareca albogularis, Sp. Nov.". Stray Feathers. 1 (2, 3, 4): 303–304.
- 1 2 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2017). "Screamers, ducks, geese & swans". World Bird List Version 7.3. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
- ↑ Rasmussen, P. C.; Anderton, J. C. (2005). Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. 2. Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions. p. 75.
- ↑ Inglis, C. M. (1904). "The Oceanic, or Andaman Teal Nettium alligulare". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 15 (3): 525.
- ↑ Wilson, N. F. (1904). "The Oceanic, or Andaman Teal Nettium albigulare". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 15 (3): 525–526.
- 1 2 Vijayan, L (2006). "Ecology and conservation of the Andaman Teal". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 103 (2): 231–238.
- ↑ Kulkarni, S.; Chandi, M. (2003). "Note on breeding of Andaman Teal Anas gibberifrons in south Andaman Islands, India". Journal of Bombay Natural History Society. 100 (1): 112–113.
