Common Teal

The Common Teal, also called the Eurasian Teal, is a small, compact dabbling duck, among the smallest waterfowl in its range. The breeding drake is handsomely patterned, with a rich chestnut head set off by a glossy green patch running from the eye to the nape, edged with a thin cream line, along with a grey body, a black-bordered creamy patch near the tail, and a horizontal white stripe along the flank.

Females are mottled brown overall, closely resembling other female dabbling ducks, but told by their small size and a distinctive green speculum (wing patch) visible in flight or at rest.

Key field marks

• Small size, noticeably smaller than Mallard
• Breeding drake: chestnut head, glossy green eye patch, grey body, black-bordered cream patch by the tail
• Female: mottled brown, best told by small size and green speculum bordered with buff
• Fast, agile flight, often flushing in tight, twisting flocks

Similar species

Females can be confused with other small female dabbling ducks such as Garganey, but Garganey shows a more contrasting head pattern with a pale eyebrow stripe. The male Common Teal's chestnut-and-green head is distinctive among Eurasian ducks.

Range

Breeds across northern Europe and Asia; winters further south throughout temperate Europe, Africa, and southern Asia.

Habitat

Uses shallow, well-vegetated wetlands including marshes, flooded meadows, small ponds, and sheltered estuaries, favoring muddy margins for feeding.

Migration

A migratory species across most of its range, moving south in autumn to milder wintering wetlands and returning north to breed in spring; some populations in milder climates are resident.

Behavior

Gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks on suitable wetlands, often mixing with other dabbling ducks. Noted for fast, agile, twisting flight when flushed.

Voice

Males give a distinctive, high, ringing "krik-krik" whistle; females give a soft, high-pitched quack.

Feeding

Dabbles and up-ends in shallow water, and forages on mud, feeding on seeds of aquatic and marsh plants along with small invertebrates such as insects and mollusks.

Nesting and breeding

Nests on the ground, usually well concealed in dense vegetation near water. Lays 8-11 eggs, incubated by the female alone; ducklings are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching.