Brazilian Teal

A small, dark dabbling duck of South American wetlands, marshes and slow rivers, distinguished by a red bill base and a pale, speckled face. Unusually for a duck it perches readily in waterside trees and often forms loose pairs or small family groups rather than large flocks, feeding on aquatic vegetation and invertebrates in shallow water. It is non-migratory and can be looked for year-round around quiet lagoons, flooded grassland and slow-moving rivers, often loafing on logs or low branches.