Teal

 

The teal (Anas crecca) is Britain’s smallest duck. It is widespread throughout the country but thinly distributed. The resident population is increased by passage birds in spring and autumn and by a large migrant population from northern Europe in winter.

It has a grey back, speckled brown chest and white underparts. Male teals have chestnut heads and distinctive green eye patches and black and yellow under-tail feathers. Both male and female teals have black and green wing patches.

Teals grow to 14 inches (36 cm) in length.

Teals fly quickly and with rapid wing beats, giving the impression of great haste. They often fly in tightly packed irregular groups. They are very agile and will spring vertically into the air when alarmed.

Teal drakes have a distinctive musical, bell-like call.

They are typical dabbling ducks, feeding on the surface while swimming or walking in the shallows, sifting seeds of water and marsh plants from the water with a nibbling action of the bill. They may occasionally upend in deeper water to reach below the surface.

The teal nest is hidden in deep cover with every effort made to avoid drawing attention to it. The conspicuous male bird therefore never visits the nest and the female only does so after ensuring that she has not been observed. Teal ducklings rarely venture into open water.

© John Welford