Teals are small dabbling ducks. Males have chestnut coloured heads with broad green eye-patches, a spotted chest, grey flanks and a black edged yellow tail. Females are mottled brown. Both show bright green wing patches (speculum) in flight. They are thinly distributed as a breeding species with a preference for northern moors and mires. In winter birds congregate in low-lying wetlands in the south and west of the UK. Of these, many are continental birds from around the Baltic and Siberia. At this time, the UK is home to a significant percentage of the NW European wintering population making it an Amber List species.
Key ID Features:
Small, neat duck.
In winter male has a brown head with a green band over the eye, bold horizontal stripes long the sides and wing of white, black and green and a black-edged yellowish triangle under the tail.
Overview
Scientific name: Anas crecca
Family: Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Where to see them:
Best looked for in good numbers in winter on wetlands, both coastal and inland. Particularly important sites include the Somerset Levels and the Mersey Estuary.
Seen in UK:
All year round, but more plentiful in winter.
What they eat
Seeds and small invertebrates
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
