With such a bold and eye-catching head pattern, this teal is easily discernable from other dabbling duck species. Comprised of distinct patches of brown, green, white and black, the male’s head is much brighter than the female’s. Males also posses a dark-spotted pinkish breast, bluish-grey sides and black tail feathers. The shoulder feathers are particularly long and conspicuous, with streaks of chestnut-red, black and white. Females are plainer, and juveniles have dark blotches on the whitish underside. Males make a deep, chuckling wot-wot-wot sound and females emit a low quack.