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Common Teal

Anas crecca

The male common teal is more colorful than the female, with a brown head and metallic green eye stripe. The teal is distinguished in a flock of ducks by it’s clear ‘creelycc’ call. Photo Jan Nyman.

General information. The common teal is Finland’s smallest dabbling duck, i.e. it feeds close to the surface and dives only as deep as it can reach, up-ending without completely submerging. It is the most common species of duck after the mallard. It is a characteristic species for small water bodies, such as ponds and edges of ditches.

  • Length 34-38 cm
  • Nests on the ground under vegetation cover
  • Migrates to western and southwestern Europe for the winter
  • Feeds mainly on insects, mollusks and seeds from aquatic plants

Habitat. The common teal nests in almost all types of aquatic habitats. It is most likely to be spotted in lush inland lakes, sea bays or small ponds. The edges of ditches are also favored habitats.

Distribution in Vaasa. During the Bird Atlas Survey, the common teal was observed in about 80 survey blocks. The species has spread evenly throughout the Vaasa city area. It can be found nesting both on the mainland as well as in the archipelago. It nests scarcely on forested islands, however, and is completely absent from the outer archipelago.