The Chestnut Teal (Anas castanea) is a freshwater bird in the dabbling duck family.
The male Chestnut Teal has an iridescent green-feathered head and a mottled chestnut brown body. The female is grey-brown with white-edged feathers. It has light beige legs with webbed feet. Its beak is light-grey. It has red eyes.
It grows to 40-51 centimetres (16-20 inches) in length, with a wingspan of 65-80 centimetres (26-31 inches). Its beak measures 3-4 centimetres (1-1.5 inches) long.
It is native to south-eastern and south-western Australia. It prefers coastal waters and wetlands, such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams.
It is an omnivore, eating vegetation, snails, slugs, centipedes, millipedes, and insects. It submerges its head in the water to reach its food.
During the breeding season, it is diurnal, active during the day, and in winter it is crepuscular, active mainly at dawn and dusk.
Males are called drakes and females are called hens. Hens nests on the ground, near water. The nest is a deep hollow lined with dry leaves and soft down feathers. The female lays 8-11 eggs, which hatch after 21-23 days. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and their mother looks after them for about 25–30 days, after which time they are independent.
Merchandise available for purchase
Merchandise available for purchase
[Location of photographs: Canberra, Australia and Jardin du Plantes Zoo, Paris, France]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM