Teal

Scientific name:

Anas crecca.

Status:

Resident; common.

Voice:

High-pitched, chirping ‘krick.’

Length:

It ranges in between 35-38 cm.

Wingspan:

It lies in between 58-66 cm.

Habitat:

Shallow fresh water when nesting; flood meadows or saltmarshes in winter.

Behaviour:

Wary; when alarmed takes off almost vertically from the water; flight path swerving.

Physical appearance:

The region’s smallest duck. Male has attractive orange-brown head with large green patch from eye to nape, bordered with creamy yellow stripe. Back and flanks show grey vermiculations; underparts white. Black-bordered creamy -yellow patches on stern. Female small, with mottled grey-brown plumage, best identified by size and association with male. In flight both sexes show green speculum and white underwing.