The original genus Anas has lost many of its species
to new genera over the last ten years, but still remains the largest genus, comprising mallard types and
"true" teals and pintails. This is an abundant species in east and south Africa, as far north as Ethiopia and
southern Sudan. Northern birds are race ruppelli, which tends to be darker and with more obvious fringing,
these were taken in Ethiopia and Uganda (centre), but there is actually little variation nor sexual dimorphism.
The captive bird on the main page shows the speculum, which is rarely apparent in the wild until the bird flies.
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HOMEPAGE