Eurasian Teal

The Eurasian teal is a very small dabbling duck with compact proportions and quick flight. A breeding male has a chestnut head crossed by a broad glossy green eye patch edged in cream, a finely grey body, black undertail and a horizontal white shoulder stripe. The female is mottled brown with a dark eye-line, but both sexes show a green wing speculum. Its small size and rapid, tightly grouped flocks are useful field characters. (Wikipedia, Eurasian teal account)

Eurasian teal breed around shallow freshwater pools, marshes and lakes with dense marginal cover across northern Eurasia. They dabble and tip forward for seeds, aquatic plants and small invertebrates, often feeding in shallow water or exposed mud. The female nests on the ground under vegetation, usually close to water, and alone incubates and tends the ducklings. Many populations migrate south after breeding and gather in substantial winter flocks on sheltered wetlands and estuaries. (Wikipedia, Eurasian teal account)