Description
The Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca), also commonly known as the Common Teal, is a small dabbling duck and an important winter visitor to India. It is one of the smaller ducks encountered in Indian wetlands and can often be found in shallow freshwater habitats, marshes and areas with abundant aquatic vegetation.
This original wildlife photograph captures a Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca), documenting the natural appearance of this attractive migratory waterbird.
The photograph was captured by wildlife photographer Amarjeetsinh Jhala and forms part of the Focused Nature By AJ collection of original bird, wildlife and nature photography.
About the Eurasian Teal
The Eurasian Teal is scientifically known as Anas crecca and belongs to the family Anatidae and order Anseriformes.
In India, the species is commonly known as the Common Teal, while Eurasian Teal and Green-winged Teal are also used as English common names in some sources. The Birds of India checklist currently lists Anas crecca as Green-winged Teal, with Common Teal as an alternate common name.
The Eurasian Teal is a small dabbling duck that breeds across northern Eurasia and migrates south during winter.
Eurasian Teal Identification
The Eurasian Teal is a relatively small duck, with adults measuring approximately 34–38 cm in length.
The breeding male has several distinctive identification features, including:
- Chestnut-brown head
- Broad metallic green patch extending behind the eye
- Cream-coloured border around the green facial patch
- Greyish body
- White markings along the scapular region
- Green wing speculum
- Yellowish patch beneath the tail
- Dark bill
- Greyish or olive-grey legs
The female has predominantly mottled brown plumage with a paler underside.
The species’ compact size and distinctive wing pattern can be especially useful when identifying it among other small ducks.
Male Eurasian Teal
The male Eurasian Teal is particularly striking during the breeding season.
Its chestnut head contrasts strongly with the dark green facial patch extending from the eye toward the back of the head. The body is predominantly grey with fine patterning, while the wing contains a distinctive green speculum.
The contrast between the chestnut head, green facial patch and grey body makes the male Eurasian Teal an attractive subject for bird photography.
Female Eurasian Teal
Female Eurasian Teal are more subdued in appearance.
They generally have mottled brown plumage that provides effective camouflage among wetland vegetation and muddy shorelines.
Females can be more difficult to distinguish from other small dabbling ducks, making careful observation of size, plumage pattern, wing markings and behaviour useful for identification.
Eurasian Teal in India
The Eurasian Teal is a widespread winter visitor to India. Indian biodiversity references describe it as a winter-visiting species associated with shallow wetlands and aquatic vegetation.
The species has been recorded across numerous parts of India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Assam and other regions.
During winter, Eurasian Teal can gather in suitable wetlands and may occur in small groups or considerably larger flocks.
Eurasian Teal Habitat
The species prefers wetland habitats that provide shallow water and suitable feeding opportunities.
Typical habitats include:
- Freshwater lakes
- Marshes
- Shallow ponds
- Inland wetlands
- Reedy wetlands
- Slow-flowing water
- Wet agricultural areas
- Sheltered coastal wetlands
- Areas with aquatic vegetation
Indian sources describe the species as a winter visitor associated with wetlands and shallow waters containing suitable aquatic vegetation.
Diet and Feeding Behaviour
The Eurasian Teal is a dabbling duck that feeds primarily in shallow water and wetland habitats.
Its diet can include:
- Seeds
- Aquatic plants
- Grasses
- Grains
- Aquatic invertebrates
- Insects
- Molluscs
- Worms
- Other small aquatic organisms
Its feeding behaviour includes dabbling, grazing and up-ending in shallow water. During winter, the species can rely more heavily on seeds and other plant material.
Eurasian Teal as a Winter Migrant
The Eurasian Teal is an important winter migrant in India.
Birds breeding in northern Eurasia move south during the colder months, reaching suitable wetlands across the Indian subcontinent.
This seasonal movement makes the species an interesting target for winter bird photography in India.
State of India’s Birds identifies Common Teal (Anas crecca) as a winter migrant in India.
Eurasian Teal and Green-winged Teal
The names used for Anas crecca can sometimes create confusion.
Eurasian Teal, Common Teal and Green-winged Teal are names that appear in different bird references and taxonomic treatments. The Birds of India checklist currently lists Anas crecca as Green-winged Teal, with Common Teal as an alternate common name, while Indian Biodiversity lists all three names among its English common names.
The American Green-winged Teal is generally treated separately as Anas carolinensis in modern taxonomic treatments.
For this reason, the scientific name Anas crecca is particularly useful when cataloguing and identifying photographs.
Eurasian Teal Photography
The Eurasian Teal is an excellent subject for Indian bird photography and wetland photography.
Photographers can capture the species in a variety of situations, including:
- Swimming
- Feeding
- Dabbling
- Preening
- Resting
- Taking flight
- Landing
- Flying in groups
- Interacting with other waterbirds
Its relatively small size and attractive male breeding plumage make it an especially rewarding subject for wildlife photographers.
This photograph forms part of the Focused Nature By AJ bird photography collection, documenting India’s birds and natural environments through original photography.
Eurasian Teal in Gujarat
Gujarat is an important region for wintering waterbirds, with numerous wetlands and shallow water habitats attracting migratory ducks during the winter season.
Historical Indian fauna records specifically document Anas crecca crecca from Gujarat, along with several other Indian states.
The wetlands of Gujarat therefore provide opportunities for birdwatchers and photographers to observe Eurasian Teal and other wintering waterbirds.
Conservation Status
The Eurasian Teal / Common Teal (Anas crecca) is currently classified globally as Least Concern.
However, State of India’s Birds reports a rapid long-term population decline in India, making wetland conservation and protection of suitable wintering habitat increasingly important.
Protecting shallow wetlands, marshes and other important waterbird habitats can help support wintering populations of Eurasian Teal and other migratory waterbirds.
Photography Details
Common Name: Eurasian Teal / Common Teal
Other Common Name: Green-winged Teal
Scientific Name: Anas crecca
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Bird Type: Duck / Waterbird
Migratory Status in India: Winter Migrant
Location: Gujarat, India
Habitat: Lakes, Marshes, Shallow Wetlands and Inland Waters
Diet: Aquatic Plants, Seeds, Grasses and Aquatic Invertebrates
Global Conservation Status: Least Concern
Photograph Type: Wildlife / Bird Photograph
Photographer: Amarjeetsinh Jhala
About This Photograph
This is an original Eurasian Teal wildlife photograph captured by wildlife photographer Amarjeetsinh Jhala.
The photograph forms part of the Focused Nature By AJ collection of original bird, wildlife and nature photography documenting India’s diverse avifauna.
The image can be licensed for approved personal, commercial, educational, editorial and printing applications according to the selected license.
Image Licensing
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Suitable for personal collections, wallpapers and other approved non-commercial applications.
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Focused Nature By AJ documents birds, mammals, reptiles and nature through original wildlife photography, with selected photographs available for personal, commercial and printing & publication licensing.
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