Common Teal

Common Teal or Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca) is a winter migrant to India, and are found in large flocks in and around small lakes, ponds and other water bodies in the vicinity of woodlands from October until February. Highly migratory, the teals breeds across Europe and North Asia, and winters far south.

Common Teal in flight at Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

It is the smallest of the dabbling ducks, and weight less than 350 grams. The drakes are easily recognizable by the dark green tear-shaped patch on their heads. The females and juveniles are much yellowish-brown in colour, while the eclipse males resemble the female with subdued facial markings.

Common Teal amidst a flock of Northern Pintails at Bharatpur

For nesting, they choose hollows in the ground in thick vegetation near water bodies. During this period, their diet changes from seeds, grass and other vegetation to crustaceans, worms, insects, etc. The otherwise nocturnal feeder also becomes active during the day.

Common teal in flight

Though the Common Teal is threatened with shrinking habitat across its breeding and winter habitats, their numbers are still large enough to be classified as “Least Concern” by IUCN. These birds are also susceptible to avian influenza and bird botulism. They are also hunted in some countries.

Common Teal flying over the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur

Strangely, I have very few images of these birds despite visiting a large number of water bodies over the course of two years of intensive birding. The images I have are from Bharatpur, where I have sighted them in flight and intermingled with roosting flocks of other duck species.