Chestnut Teal (species: Anas (Anas) castanea) in Booti Booti NP (Gaia Guide)
Anas (Anas) castanea
Chestnut Teal


©Lip Kee Yap: Male Chestnut Teal (Anas (Anas) castanea)

©Lip Kee Yap: Female Chestnut Teal (Anas (Anas) castanea) with a duckling
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae
Genus Anas
Species Anas (Anas) castanea
Status least concern

Colours

                        

Distinguishing features

The Chestnut Teal is darker and a slightly bigger bird than the Grey Teal.

The male has a distinctive green coloured head and mottled brown body. The female has a brown head and mottled brown body. The female is almost identical in appearance to the Grey Teal.

The female Chestnut Teal has a loud penetrating "laughing" quack repeated rapidly nine times or more. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • From 35 cm to 46 cm (Length of specimen) - applies to Mature adults

Wingspan

  • Up to 65 cm

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

The Chestnut Teal is commonly distributed in south-eastern and south-western Australia, while vagrants may occur elsewhere. Tasmania and southern Victoria are the species’ stronghold, while vagrants can be found as far north as New Guinea and Lord Howe Island.

The Chestnut Teal prefers coastal estuaries and wetlands, and is indifferent to salinity. (Wikipedia)

Diet

It is an omnivore.

Web resources

References

  • Simpson, K., N. Day and P. Trusler (2004). Field Guide to Birds of Australia: 7th Edition Penguin Group (Australia), Camberwell, Victoria.