Eurasian Teal

About

The Eurasian Teal, often simply called Teal in Europe, is a small dabbling duck. It is the smallest extant dabbling duck in the world. Known for its swift, agile flight and distinctive calls, it is a common and widespread species across much of Eurasia.

Size & lifespan

Length

34-38 cm (13-15 in)

Wingspan

53-59 cm (21-23 in)

Weight

200-450 g (7.1-15.9 oz)

Lifespan

Typically 5-10 years in the wild, with records up to 20 years.

Diet

Omnivore

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Males in breeding plumage have a chestnut head with a broad, iridescent green patch extending from the eye to the nape, bordered by a thin creamy-white line. The breast is buff with dark spots, flanks are grey with a white horizontal stripe, and the back is grey with fine vermiculations. A prominent white stripe runs along the scapulars. The undertail coverts are yellow, bordered by black. Females are mottled brown and buff overall, with a darker crown and eye-stripe. Both sexes have a metallic green speculum, bordered by white, visible in flight and at rest.

Beak shape

Small, dark grey to black, spatulate bill, typical of dabbling ducks.

Eye color

Dark brown.

Leg color

Greyish-green to dark grey.

Distinguishing features

Small size, iridescent green speculum bordered by white, and the male's distinctive head pattern. The yellow undertail patch of the male is also a key field mark.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adult females but are generally duller, with less distinct markings and often more streaking on the underparts. The speculum is less vibrant.

Seasonal changes

Males undergo an eclipse plumage from late summer to early autumn, resembling females but often retaining some hints of their breeding plumage, such as a darker head and a less distinct green eye-patch. They regain their full breeding plumage by late autumn/early winter.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced. Males are much more brightly colored, especially during breeding season, with distinctive head markings. Females are cryptically patterned in mottled browns.

How to identify

1. 1

   Size and Shape

   Look for a very small, compact dabbling duck with a relatively short neck and small bill. It's noticeably smaller than a Mallard.

2. 2

   Male Breeding Plumage

   The most striking feature is the chestnut head with the iridescent green eye-patch bordered by a thin creamy-white line. The yellow undertail patch bordered by black is also diagnostic.

3. 3

   Female Plumage

   Mottled brown overall. Look for the small size, dark eye-stripe, and especially the metallic green speculum (wing patch) bordered by white, which is visible both in flight and when the bird is resting with wings folded.

4. 4

   Flight

   Observe its rapid, agile flight, often in tight flocks. The green speculum is very prominent in flight.

5. 5

   Vocalization

   Listen for the male's distinctive, high-pitched 'krick-krick' call, which is often the first clue to its presence.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Wetlands, marshes, shallow lakes, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, coastal lagoons, and flooded grasslands.

Geographic range

Widespread across the Palearctic, breeding from Iceland and Western Europe across northern Asia to the Pacific. Winters in Western and Southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.

Elevation range

Primarily lowlands, but can be found at moderate elevations in suitable wetland habitats.

Preferred environments

Shallow freshwater or brackish wetlands with dense emergent vegetation for cover and abundant aquatic invertebrates and seeds. Prefers areas with muddy edges for dabbling.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, though may feed at night during migration or in areas with disturbance.

Feeding habits

Primarily a dabbling duck, feeding by tipping its head and forepart of its body into shallow water to reach submerged vegetation and invertebrates. Also grazes on land and filters food from the surface. Diet consists of seeds, aquatic plants, insects, larvae, mollusks, and crustaceans.

Social behavior

Highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks, sometimes numbering thousands, especially during migration and in wintering grounds. During breeding, pairs are more solitary or found in loose groups.

Flight pattern

Very fast and agile flight, often in tight, rapidly changing flocks. Wings beat quickly, producing a characteristic 'whirring' sound. Takes off almost vertically from water.

Migration pattern

Strongly migratory across most of its range. Northern populations move south for the winter, often covering long distances. Southern populations may be resident or undertake shorter movements. Arrives at breeding grounds in early spring and departs for wintering grounds in late summer/early autumn.

Territoriality

Males defend a small territory around the female during the breeding season, but not a large nesting territory. Nests are typically well-hidden.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically April to July, varying geographically.

Nesting habits

Nests are built on the ground, usually well-hidden in dense vegetation (grasses, sedges, reeds) near water. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with grass, leaves, and down plucked from the female's breast.

Clutch size

6-12 eggs.

Egg description

6-12 eggs, typically 8-10. Eggs are pale buff to creamy-white, sometimes with a greenish tinge, and unspotted. Average size is about 45 x 33 mm.

Incubation period

21-23 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

25-30 days. Ducklings are precocial and leave the nest shortly after hatching, able to feed themselves.

Parental care

Only the female cares for the ducklings. Males typically leave the female shortly after incubation begins.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Scan the edges of water bodies. Teal often feed in the shallows, close to cover. Use binoculars to scan vegetated edges.
2. Listen for calls. The male's 'krick-krick' call is very distinctive and can help locate hidden birds.
3. Observe flight patterns. Their fast, erratic flight is characteristic. Look for small, rapidly moving flocks.
4. Visit during migration. Spring and autumn migration periods offer the best chances to see large numbers, especially at traditional staging areas.

Similar species

Quick facts

Smallest Dabbling Duck:

The Eurasian Teal is the smallest dabbling duck species.

Distinctive Male Call:

Males have a unique 'krick-krick' call.

Fast Flier:

Known for its incredibly swift and agile flight.

Green Speculum:

Both sexes display a prominent metallic green wing patch bordered by white.

Widespread Migrant:

Undertakes long-distance migrations across Eurasia.

Fun facts

• The name 'Teal' is thought to derive from Middle English 'tele', possibly related to the Dutch 'taling', referring to its small size.
• Despite its small size, the Eurasian Teal is a strong flyer and can cover vast distances during migration, often flying at considerable altitudes.
• The iridescent green speculum is not due to pigment but rather the structural properties of the feathers, which reflect light in a specific way.
• In some parts of its range, the Eurasian Teal is a popular quarry for wildfowlers due to its abundance and challenging flight.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Anseriformes

Family

Anatidae

Genus

Anas

Species

Anas crecca

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