Eurasian Teal

The Eurasian Teal, often called simply the Common Teal, is the widespread Old World form of the species Anas crecca, breeding across much of Europe and northern Asia and wintering as far south as Africa and southern Asia. It is very closely related to the North American Green-winged Teal, and the two forms occasionally occur together, particularly in western North America and coastal Europe.

Breeding males show the same chestnut head with an iridescent green eye patch found in the American form, but the patch is bordered by a more complete pale cream line, and the body shows a horizontal white stripe along the scapular feathers rather than the vertical flank stripe of the American form.

Feathers can be identified by the small overall size typical of this species, a bright green speculum, and, in males, the horizontal white scapular stripe that is the clearest feather-level distinction from the North American form.

Size and shape

• Very small dabbling-duck contour and flight feathers, matching the small size of the North American Green-winged Teal
• Compact, short wings typical of the smallest teal species

Color and pattern

• Male head feathers rich chestnut with an iridescent green eye patch, bordered by a more continuous cream line than in the American form
• Male scapular (shoulder) feathers show a horizontal white stripe along the upper edge, a key difference from the American form's vertical flank stripe
• Speculum feathers bright green, bordered with buff and black
• Undertail area shows a buff-yellow triangular patch bordered in black on each side of the rump

Distinguishing from similar species

• The horizontal white scapular stripe is the clearest feather clue separating this form from the North American Green-winged Teal, which instead shows a vertical white breast-side stripe
• Very small overall size compared to most other Old World dabbling ducks

Breeding males show a chestnut head with a cream-bordered green eye patch, grey vermiculated body, a horizontal white stripe along the scapulars, and a black-bordered buff-yellow rump patch. Females are mottled brown overall, very similar to the American form's females. Males undergo an eclipse molt after breeding, briefly resembling females. All undergo a flightless period during wing molt.

Breeds across much of Europe and northern Asia in marshes, ponds, and wet tundra and taiga habitats, and winters across a broad range including western and southern Europe, Africa, and southern Asia. It favors shallow wetlands, lakes, and coastal marshes. Most populations are migratory.

Feeds by dabbling in shallow water and on mudflats for seeds and small invertebrates, often gathering in large flocks outside the breeding season. Nests on the ground in dense vegetation near water. Voice includes a short, crisp whistle from males and a higher-pitched call from females. Where this form and the North American Green-winged Teal overlap, the scapular stripe orientation (horizontal versus vertical) is the most reliable feather-based clue to tell them apart.