          |
Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameAnas crecca FamilySwans, ducks and geese (Anatidae) OverviewTeals are small dabbling ducks. Males have chestnut coloured heads with broad green eye-patches, a spotted chest, grey flanks and a black edged yellow tail. Females are mottled brown. Both show bright green wing patches (speculum) in flight. They are thinly distributed as a breeding species with a preference for northern moors and mires. In winter birds congregate in low-lying wetlands in the south and west of the UK. Of these, many are continental birds from around the Baltic and Siberia. At this time, the UK is home to a significant percentage of the NW European wintering population making it an Amber List species. Where to see themBest looked for in good numbers in winter on wetlands, both coastal and inland. Particularly important sites include the Somerset Levels and the Mersey Estuary. When to see themAll year round, but more plentiful in winter. What they eatSeeds and small invertebrates Estimated numbers
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out moreAudio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |
 Male  Female Similar birdsHelp the TealJoin today and help us continue our conservation work to keep these birds safe. |
View of reeds and pools at Conwy nature reserve - Ben Hall
Female teal dabbling - Steve Round
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)