Grey Teal: a two-minute wildlife lesson

On the Lake · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. The grey teal is a mottled brown duck from Australia and New Zealand, with striking crimson eyes that are brightest in adult males.
2. A true wanderer, the grey teal heads for wherever rain or floods have filled wetlands. Tracked birds flew up to 1,200 km across dry inland Australia.
3. Grey teal may hear distant thunderstorms. Storms hundreds of kilometres away make low, deep sounds, and tracked birds flew towards them.
4. In 1957, large numbers of grey teal flew from Australia to New Zealand to escape a drought. They arrived on their own and are now common there.
5. Grey teal usually nest on the ground near lakes and marshes, but some pick a hole in a tree or even a rabbit burrow.

The quiz

1. What colour are a grey teal's eyes?

• Bright blue
• Crimson red (correct)
• Pale yellow
• Pure white

The grey teal has a crimson iris, brightest in adult males.

2. What usually makes grey teal fly long distances?

• Searching for wetlands after rain (correct)
• Following ships
• Escaping snow every winter
• Chasing flying insects

Water is a main reason for their moves: rain and floods draw them across the country.

3. What may help grey teal find distant storms?

• The smell of lightning
• Watching other birds
• Low-frequency sounds from the storm (correct)
• The moon

Storms make low-frequency sound that grey teal could detect from far away.

4. Why did many grey teal fly from Australia to New Zealand in 1957?

• To find a colder winter
• Because of a big flood
• To follow fishing boats
• To escape a drought (correct)

In 1957 large numbers fled Australia to escape a drought.

5. Which unusual place can a grey teal use as a nest?

• A rabbit burrow (correct)
• A floating log at sea
• A cave roof
• A bird of prey's nest

Besides ground nests, it may use tree holes or rabbit burrows.

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