Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) lives in freshwater wetlands across Australia, New Zealand. It feeds on insects and crustaceans. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Grey Teal
- A flash of crimson in its eye instantly tells you you're looking at a grey teal, adult males sport a vivid red iris that stands out against their mottled brown plumage with white and green wing flashes. This eye colour is a key field mark because the duck's overall brown look is almost identical to the female chestnut teal, differing only by a lighter neck and paler face. Spotting that scarlet iris lets birders separate the two species in the field, sharpening our picture of wetland diversity.
- Grey teal face a harsh early life: 68% of juveniles die in their first year, 77% by age two and 85% by age four, leaving an average juvenile expectancy of just 0.96 years after banding at 2-4 months. Those that survive to one year can expect another 2.9 years, yet the oldest recorded wild adult reached 9 years in New Zealand and 21 years in Australia.
- In New Zealand the population rose from an estimated 20,000 birds in 1976 to 50,000 in 2005, then to about 120,000 by 2014, while the global count topped one million. Despite full protection, hunters still take at least 6% of the New Zealand population each season.
- Grey teal eggs are averaging 49.3 mm long and 35.6 mm wide, just under 2 inches by 1.4 inches. Those dimensions pack a creamy-white shell that the duck lays in ground nests, tree holes or even rabbit burrows.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeAustralia, New Zealand
HabitatFreshwater wetlands
DietInsects and crustaceans
About the Grey Teal
In the misty dawn of wetlands, the Grey Teal glides effortlessly, its slate-grey feathers glistening like polished stone as it navigates the tranquil waters with a quiet confidence. With each subtle stroke of its paddle-like wings, it propels itself forward, leaving behind a trail of rippled reflections that shimmer in the morning light. As it forages for aquatic delights, its bright, inquisitive eyes dart back and forth, revealing a keen intelligence that belies its unassuming demeanor.
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