Key information about the UK’s birds and their changing fortunes, based on data collected by BTO and partner organisations.
Teal
Anas crecca (Linnaeus, 1758)
T.
TEAL. 1840
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
The Teal is our smallest duck and its bright green wing flash can be seen in marshlands across the UK.
This is an uncommon breeding bird in the UK, with an estimated population of just 4,000 pairs but this population is dwarfed by the winter arrival of around half a million birds from the Continent. At this time the male Teal is at his most resplendent, with a gilt-edged, chestnut and green head and a butter-yellow triangle beneath the tail. The scalloped, brown female shares the bright green wing flash of the male.
Wetland Bird Survey results show an upward trend for Teal across the UK and, unsurprisingly, that numbers peak between October and February. Since the 1968–72 breeding atlas, however, there has been a 14% decrease in the size of the breeding range in Britain.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Teal
Ducks are usually easy to identify, but the females can be more challenging. Many of our familiar dabbling ducks have subtly-plumaged brown females which, on first glance, appear similar. This workshop will help you tell them apart with confidence.
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Although much more abundant as a winter visitor, the Teal has a small breeding population of 2,700 to 4,750 breeding pairs (APEP4), with breeding numbers having increased since the time of the 1988–91 Breeding Atlas. However, the status is complicated by the presence of wintering and migrant birds until the end of April, and there has been a 14% range decrease since the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas; hence the longer term trend is unknown.
In winter Teal are widespread throughout Britain & Ireland, being found in a variety of coastal and freshwater sites from small pools to large estuaries. The breeding season distribution map is distorted by the continued presence of wintering birds through to the end of April. Breeding Teal are patchily distributed in southern Britain and in Ireland.
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Teals are common winter visitors, recorded on up to 20% of lists but scarce in summer when there is a small over-summering population and small numbers breed.
Weekly occurrence patterns (shaded cells) and reporting rates (vertical bars) based on BirdTrack data. Reporting rates give the likelihood of encountering the species each week.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
A different approach could provide warning of avian influenza outbreaks
2022 | Wade, D., Ashton-Butt, A., Scott, G., Reid, S., Coward, V., Hansen, R.D.E., Banyard, A.C. & Ward, A.Epidemiology & Infection
Although we lack complete understanding of the disease links between wild and captive bird populations, the pattern of HPAI emergence in captive poultry reflects the movements of migratory waterfow
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
TEAL. 
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