description Eurasian Teal Overview
The Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) is a small dabbling duck native to Europe and Asia, and the smallest duck species in the Palearctic region. Males display a distinctive chestnut head with a green eye patch during breeding plumage. The species inhabits shallow freshwater wetlands and migrates southward in winter, forming dense flocks on lakes and marshes.
help Eurasian Teal FAQ
How can I distinguish a male Eurasian Teal from other small ducks?
A breeding male has a chestnut head with a broad green eye patch and a horizontal white stripe along the body. The female is mottled brown, but both sexes show a green speculum on the wing.
Is the Eurasian Teal the same species as the Green-winged Teal?
They are extremely close relatives and were once commonly treated as one species. The male Eurasian Teal has a horizontal white scapular stripe, while the American Green-winged Teal is known for a vertical white bar on the breast.
What does a Eurasian Teal eat in shallow wetlands?
It feeds by dabbling and filtering seeds, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates from shallow water and mud. Its compact body allows it to use pools and marsh edges that larger ducks may avoid.
Where does the Eurasian Teal go during winter?
Many birds breeding in northern Europe and Asia migrate south or west when wetlands freeze. Winter flocks gather on sheltered lakes, estuaries, flooded fields, and coastal lagoons across Europe, North Africa, and southern Asia.
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