© Photo by Luke Massey/2020VISION Teal Anas crecca A common but pretty little dabbling duck, Teal gather in large numbers in winter on gravel pits, reservoirs and floodplain meadows. © Luke Massey/2020VISION Many of these birds are migrants from the cold climes of the Baltic and Siberia. In summer, Teal breed in small numbers in Britain, mostly in the north. How to Identify Our smallest duck, male Teal are grey with a speckled breast, a yellow and black tail and a chestnut-coloured head with a bright green eye patch. Females are mottled brown but both sexes show a bright green wing patch in flight. Where to Find Nests in small numbers around the country, particularly in the uplands, but much more common in winter when it can be found on most wetlands. How People Can Help The large numbers of visiting Teal that frequent the UK make this species an Amber List bird. To ensure that we keep the populations of these colourful ducks, and others like them, healthy, it is important that wetland habitats are managed properly. The Wildlife Trusts are working with other organisations and individuals to create a ‘Living Landscape’: a network of habitats stretching across town and country, allowing wildlife to move about freely and people to enjoy the benefits of nature. Support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust. Did you know? Collectively, a group of Teal is known as a ‘spring’ because of the way they can take-off suddenly and vertically, as if sprung from the ground. Watching these birds wheel through a winter sky is a true delight. Key FactsLength: 34-38cmWingspan: 61cmWeight: 330gAverage lifespan: 3 years Donate Donate to help support Teel and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Crossbill Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Crested Grebe Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds Hobby Birds House Martin Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Lesser Redpoll Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Little Owl Birds Little Ringed Plover Birds Long-Eared Owl Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Marsh Harrier Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Osprey Birds Oystercatcher Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Pied Wagtail Birds Raven Birds Red Grouse Birds Red Kite Birds Redstart Birds Redwing Birds Reed Bunting Birds Reed Warbler Birds Ringed Plover Birds Robin Birds Rock Pipit Birds Rook Birds Sedge Warbler Birds Short-Eared Owl Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Spotted Flycatcher Birds Starling Birds Stonechat Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Tufted Duck Birds Water Rail Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whimbrel Birds Whinchat Birds Whitethroat Birds Wigeon Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Woodcock Birds Wren Birds Yellow Wagtail Birds Yellowhammer Birds