Eurasian Teal
Anas crecca
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Eurasian Teal is a small dabbling duck with a compact body and short neck.
Males in breeding plumage display a striking chestnut head with a broad green eye patch, contrasting with a buff and grey body and a black-edged yellow triangle under the tail.
Females and non-breeding males have mottled brown plumage with a dark eye stripe. Both sexes show a green speculum bordered by white on the wings during flight.
Juvenile Teal look very similar to adult females but have spotted underparts.
Size
Length
34cm to 38cm
Wingspan
53cm to 59cm
Weight
250g to 450g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Eurasian Teals inhabit many freshwater wetlands, including shallow lakes, marshes, and slow-flowing rivers. They breed across northern Eurasia, from Iceland to Siberia, including parts of the UK.
During winter, they migrate south to temperate and subtropical regions, including southern Europe, North Africa, and South Asia. In the UK, their numbers swell significantly during the winter months with arrivals from northern Europe.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic, Arctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Eurasian Teal. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Eurasian Teal demonstrates remarkable agility, particularly in flight. Their ability to take off almost vertically from water and perform swift, twisting movements in the air showcases their exceptional manoeuvrability. Their compact body and short neck contribute to their nimbleness both in flight and when dabbling for food.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As one of the smallest dabbling duck species, the Eurasian Teal's strength is relatively modest compared to larger waterfowl. However, they possess sufficient strength to undertake long-distance migrations and to dive partially underwater when feeding, which requires some muscular effort.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Eurasian Teals exhibit high adaptability, thriving in various freshwater wetlands across a wide geographic range. Their ability to shift their diet seasonally and inhabit diverse habitats from Arctic to subtropical regions demonstrates their adaptable nature. They also cope well with human-altered landscapes, often utilising man-made wetlands.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Generally, Eurasian Teals are not particularly aggressive birds. They are highly gregarious, forming large flocks outside the breeding season, which suggests a relatively peaceful disposition. However, males may display some aggression during courtship and territorial defence in the breeding season, hence the moderate score.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Eurasian Teal's endurance is impressive, especially considering its small size. Their ability to undertake long-distance migrations from northern breeding grounds to southern wintering areas requires significant stamina. Additionally, their capacity to fly at speeds up to 60 km/h demonstrates notable endurance for sustained flight.
Diet
Eurasian Teals primarily feed on plant matter, including seeds, leaves, and stems of aquatic plants. They also consume small invertebrates, especially during the breeding season.
Their diet shifts seasonally, with more animal matter consumed in spring and summer and more plant material in autumn and winter.
They find most of their food at the water’s surface or to a depth of about 25 centimetres. These dabbling ducks may catch small flying insects above the water, dip their head under the water, or upend, but rarely dive.
Behaviour
Eurasian Teals are highly gregarious, often forming large flocks outside the breeding season. They are agile fliers, capable of swift, twisting movements in the air.
When feeding, they dabble in shallow water, tipping up to reach submerged vegetation, and occasionally upend completely.
Vocalisation
Male Eurasian Teals produce a distinctive, high-pitched whistle often described as a 'krik' sound. This call is frequently heard during flight or courtship. Females have a softer, more guttural quack. During courtship, males also make a soft rattling or purring sound.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding begins in spring, with pairs forming on wintering grounds or during migration. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, including whistle calls and head-bobbing movements.
Females construct nests on the ground, often hidden in dense vegetation near water. The nest is a shallow depression lined with grass and down. Clutch size typically ranges from 8 to 11 eggs, which are pale cream to olive in colour.
Incubation lasts about 21-23 days and is carried out solely by the female. Ducklings are precocial and can leave the nest within hours of hatching, fledging after 25-30 days.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Eurasian Teals face threats from habitat loss and degradation, particularly the draining of wetlands. Climate change may also impact their breeding and wintering grounds.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats across their range.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
2,800,000 mature individuals [2]
Global Population Trend
Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Eurasian Teals in shallow wetlands, estuaries, and coastal lagoons
- Listen for their distinctive high-pitched whistle, especially during flight
- Observe their rapid take-offs and agile flying patterns
- In the UK, visit nature reserves during winter months for the best viewing opportunities
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Common Teal, Green-winged Teal (Eurasian subspecies)
Family:
AnatidaeAverage Lifespan
10 to 15 years
Predators
Did You Know?
- Eurasian Teals can take off from water almost vertically, a useful adaptation for inhabiting small ponds.
- They are one of the smallest dabbling duck species in the world.
- Despite their small size, Eurasian Teals can fly at speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph).
FAQs
What is the difference between a Eurasian Teal and a Green-winged Teal?
Eurasian and Green-winged Teal were long considered to be subspecies of a single species (Anas crecca). Despite a very similar appearance, the North American birds have been elevated to full species status and are now known as the Green-winged Teal (A. carolinensis).
Apart from their New World distribution, these birds differ from the Eurasian Teal (A. crecca) in having a vertical white stripe on either side of the breast, below the head. Green-winged Teals also lack the white stripe on the closed wing below the scapulars.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2020. Anas crecca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T22680321A181692388.
View source - 2
report: Partners in Flight 2019, Wetlands International 2020
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