Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Grey teal

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Order
  
Anseriformes

Subfamily
  
Anatinae

Scientific name
  
Anas gracilis

Rank
  
Species

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Anatidae

Genus
  
Anas

Higher classification
  
Anas

Grey teal cdn2arkiveorgmediaFEFEA3D4DBD83F4709AC273

Similar
  
Chestnut teal, Bird, Pacific black duck, Australasian shoveler, Hardhead

Chestnut grey teal ducks birds display


The grey teal (Anas gracilis) is a dabbling duck found in open wetlands in Australia and New Zealand.

Contents

This is a mottled brown duck with white and green flashes on its wings. The male and female grey teal share the same colouration, in contrast to the related chestnut teal, whose male and female are strikingly different. The grey teal has almost identical colouration to the female chestnut teal and the Grey can only be distinguished by its lighter coloured neck and paler face. Juveniles are paler than adults, especially on the head.

Grey teal Grey Teal BirdLife Australia

The grey teal nests near its favoured freshwater lakes and marshes, usually on the ground, but also in tree holes or rabbit burrows.

Grey teal Grey teal New Zealand Birds Online

This is a vocal duck, especially at night. The male gives a soft preep, and the female has a loud quack.

Grey teal Pukekowithgreytealduckling Travis Wetland

The grey teal is a gregarious species. In Australia it is nomadic, rapidly colonising suitable habitat following rain. In 1957, large numbers fled Australia, moving to New Zealand to escape drought.

It was formerly considered a subspecies of the Sunda teal, as Anas gibberifrons gracilis.

Widespread throughout its large range, the grey teal is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Grey teal Grey teal New Zealand Birds Online

It is often mistaken for a female chestnut teal, due to similar colouring.

New zealand birds grey teal close up shot


Grey teal Grey Teal Tony Keene Birds

Grey teal

References

Grey teal Wikipedia