Appearance:Very small dabbling duck
White-edged green patch in wings
Whitish belly
Male:
Chestnut head
Green ear patch
Dark bill
Buff chest with dark spotting
White stripe on side of chest
Buff outer undertail coverts
Black central undertail coverts
Female: (below)
Mottled, light brown plumage
White breast spotted with brown
Strong eyeline
Gray bill
Listen to its call.
Recently, I've become aware that my duck knowledge was sadly lacking. Although Mallards far outweight the others (both in number and size), I am amazed at the variety of ducks I've seen in the local ponds lately. They differ significantly in size, as well as colour. This one is positively tiny. I felt sorry for him, jostling for a position to receive a hand-out today. The larger ducks bullied him terribly, pushing him, chasing him and even nipping at his tail feathers. No wonder they usually stay out in the middle of the pond when I see them at Rithet's Bog, probably to avoid being intimidated by their oversized tormentors.
Size difference:
Green-winged Teal (front) /Mallard (back) Black central undertail coverts
Female: (below)
Mottled, light brown plumage
White breast spotted with brown
Strong eyeline
Gray bill
Listen to its call.
Recently, I've become aware that my duck knowledge was sadly lacking. Although Mallards far outweight the others (both in number and size), I am amazed at the variety of ducks I've seen in the local ponds lately. They differ significantly in size, as well as colour. This one is positively tiny. I felt sorry for him, jostling for a position to receive a hand-out today. The larger ducks bullied him terribly, pushing him, chasing him and even nipping at his tail feathers. No wonder they usually stay out in the middle of the pond when I see them at Rithet's Bog, probably to avoid being intimidated by their oversized tormentors.
Size difference:
Learn more about the Green-winged Teal.
Additional photos:
female
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