Argentina is a popular destination for duck hunters. It offers abundant opportunities and the chance to shoot new species. But, like the US, ducks migrate, and Argentina is no small country (roughly a third the size of the US). Depending on where you are and the time of year, it will determine which species are around for hunters to harvest. For the purpose of this article, we are focusing on the western portion of Buenos Aires Province in the Lowland Central Pampas region and its marshes, sloughs, and potholes. This area is one of the most popular duck hunting regions in the country and is home to 13 species of waterfowl.
Teal
This region of Argentina is home to five species of teal, which make up a majority of the waterfowl population. However, some are rarer than others.
Silver Teal
The silver teal is a small teal species that can be found throughout South America. They are easily distinguishable by their black cap and white cheeks. In addition, these ducks have a distinct silvery rump, giving them their name. Silver teal fly in large flocks and are one of the more common ducks in Argentina.
Speckled Teal
The speckled teal is a small brown teal species. It is distinguished by its distinct yellow bill and dark speculum with a small green patch on the inner speculum. This is another common teal species in Argentina that travels in small flocks and will readily respond to calls and decoys.
Cinnamon Teal
The cinnamon teal is one of two species found in Argentina that are also found in the United States. Drakes are identified by their rusty-cinnamon color, black bill, and red eye. Hens are light brown in color, with a distinctive blue shoulder patch similar to that of a blue-winged teal.
Ringed Teal
The ringed teal is one of the prized teal species in Argentina for its stunning looks. This duck features a distinct chestnut colored chest with black spots or speckles throughout it. In addition, these ducks have a light gray belly and a white patch on their rump. They get their name from an incomplete black collar or ring around their neck. This is one of the smaller teal species and is somewhat rare in the lowlands of Argentina.
Brazilian Teal
The Brazilian teal is the rarest teal species in Argentina. Found throughout South America and Central America, these teal prefer dense vegetation and freshwater. They are distinguishable by their light brown color and pale grey patch on the side of their head. In addition, drakes have red beaks and legs, as well as spectacular iridescent green wings.
Pintails
There are two species of pintails in Argentina that are not found in the United States.
White-Cheeked Pintail
The white-cheeked pintail is one of the most prized ducks in Argentina for its stunning coloration and willingness to decoy. These birds are also known as Bohemian pintails and feature a distinct white cheek, hence their name. They also feature a distinctive blue and red bill and are brown in coloration. They can be found flying alongside yellow-pilled pintails in mixed flocks.
Yellow-Billed Pintail
The yellow-billed pintail is easily identified by its brown color, medium size, and distinct yellow bill with a black line across the top. These ducks are one of the larger ducks in Argentina, as well as one of the most abundant. They readily decoy and respond to calls, making for a perfect game bird.
Whistling Ducks
Argentina is home to two whistling duck species. Like other whistlers or tree ducks, these birds have a distinct whistling call.
White-Faced Whistling Duck
The white-faced whistling duck, as its name implies, has a bright white face transitioning into a black neck. These ducks have a chestnut colored body and a barred underbody. Like other tree ducks, they have long legs and can frequently be found standing in and around timber.
Fulvous Whistling Ducks
The fulvous whistling duck is the only other duck species in Argentina that can be found in the US. While not native to the US, they have established populations in Florida and Texas. These ducks feature a blueish-gray bill and an overall brown coloration. They have a white rump and a white stripe along their wing edges. They also have blue legs.
Other Duck Species:
In addition to these three main groups of ducks in Argentina, several others offer excellent hunting opportunities.
Black-Headed Duck
The black-headed duck is one of the few diving ducks in Argentina and is typically found near large bodies of water. As their name implies, they have a black head and bluish-black bill with a red spot at the base of it. They have a brownish body and typically travel in large flocks with other black-headed ducks.
Southern Wigeon
The southern wigeon is a species of wigeon found throughout South America. They have a white face with a dark greenish head and hues of purple. The southern wigeon has a chestnut-colored body and a white rump, in addition to a large white upper wing. These ducks decoy well and have a distinct wigeon whistle-sounding call.
Rosy-Billed Pochard
Prized by hunters, the rosy-billed pochard is the largest duck in Argentina and one of the best to eat. These big ducks are mostly black in color with a white rump. They have a fleshy red caruncle at the base of their beak and a matching red eye. Rosy-billed pochards are actually genetically related to the canvasback.
Red Shoveler
The last duck species in Argentina is one of our favorites. The red shoveler has a similar spoon-shaped bill, like Northern shovelers, but that is where the similarities end. As their name implies, these ducks are reddish in color and covered with small black dots or speckles. Males may also have a small sprig.
If you want a chance to harvest some of the species on your own, enter the Argentina Cast & Blast Giveaway!