Wildlifeof Nepal
Common Teal
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: (c) Daniel Pineda Vera, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Anas crecca
Basic stats
Diet
Seeds and aquatic invertebrates
Habitat
Sheltered wetlands
Range
Breeds in temperate Eurosiberia; winters south
Size
34–43cm
Wingspan
53–59cm
Weight
Drakes about 360g; hens about 340g
The Eurasian or common teal is one of the smallest dabbling ducks, 34 to 43cm long with a wingspan of 53 to 59cm, and drakes average about 360g. From a distance the breeding drake looks grey with a dark head, a yellowish rear end and a white stripe along the flanks. The breast is buff with small round brown spots, and a white side stripe is formed by the outer scapular feathers (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is commonly found in sheltered wetlands, feeding on seeds and aquatic invertebrates, and is highly gregarious outside the breeding season, forming large flocks. It breeds in temperate Eurosiberia and migrates south in winter. In eclipse plumage the drake looks more like the duck. Ducklings weigh just 15g at hatching and are brown above and yellow below.
Quick answers
- What does the Common Teal eat?
- Seeds and aquatic invertebrates
- What habitat does the Common Teal live in?
- Sheltered wetlands
- Where is the Common Teal found?
- Breeds in temperate Eurosiberia; winters south
- How big is the Common Teal?
- 34–43cm
- What is the wingspan of the Common Teal?
- 53–59cm
- How much does the Common Teal weigh?
- Drakes about 360g; hens about 340g