The Story
This Brazilian Teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis) was at Reserva Natural La Palmita in Trinidad, Casanare, Colombia when I photographed it. The Brazilian Teal prefers freshwater away from the coast with dense vegetation nearby. It lives in pairs or small groups of up to twenty birds. Adults eat seeds, fruits, roots and insects, while the ducklings eat only insects. La Palmita’s research center has recorded 250 bird species and 39 bat species in the flooded savannas of Trinidad. IUCN lists the Brazilian Teal as Least Concern, with a decreasing population.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100. La Palmita conserves its flooded savannas through its cattle ranching and has welcomed visitors since 2013, so every stay supports sustainable tourism in the region.
©2019 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Brazilian Teal (Amazonetta brasiliensis) belongs to the family Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2018), with the population trend listed as decreasing. Source: IUCN Red List
