Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) — a small migratory dabbling duck

Identification and physical characteristics

The Eurasian teal is compact and lightweight compared with many other ducks. Males in breeding plumage show a chestnut head marked by an iridescent green stripe from the eye to the nape, a pale breast with fine patterning, and a conspicuous green speculum on the wing. Females and non-breeding males are mottled brown, which provides camouflage at the nest. Both sexes have slender bills and relatively short necks. In flight the teal is fast and agile, often flying in small flocks that quarter over wetlands.

Behavior, diet and breeding

As a dabbling duck, the Eurasian teal feeds at or near the water surface rather than diving. Its diet consists mainly of seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates such as insects and crustaceans; the exact balance shifts with season and habitat. Teal are social outside the breeding season, forming loose flocks on shallow lakes, marshes and flooded pastures. They nest on the ground, usually concealed in dense vegetation close to water, where the female incubates the eggs and tends the ducklings after hatching.

Distribution and migration

Breeding populations occupy northern and temperate Eurasia. In winter many birds migrate south to milder regions in southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. Migration routes and wintering areas vary with local climate and habitat availability; some populations are resident where conditions remain suitable year-round. Wetland loss and harsh weather can influence movement and local abundance, making the species a useful indicator of wetland health.

Taxonomy and conservation

The Eurasian teal is classified in the genus Anas. Historically it was often treated as conspecific with the North American green-winged teal (A. carolinensis), but many modern authorities recognize them as separate species based on differences in plumage, vocalizations and genetics. Overall the Eurasian teal remains widespread and adaptable; conservation assessments generally list it as of lower concern than many specialized waterfowl, though local declines have occurred where wetlands are drained or polluted.

Human significance and notable facts

Teal are economically and culturally important: they are sought by birdwatchers for their attractive plumage and quick flight, and by hunters in regions with managed waterfowl seasons. Because they depend on shallow wetlands for feeding and breeding, conservation measures that protect and restore marshes, reedbeds and floodplains benefit teal and many other species. The Eurasian teal's presence, abundance and timing of migration continue to be monitored by ornithologists and citizen-science projects, contributing to wider understanding of wetland ecosystems.

• Typical habitats: marshes, flooded meadows, shallow lakes and estuaries.
• Feeding style: dabbling and upending; not a diving species.
• Notable variation: some populations show resident behavior where winters are mild.