Common Teal

Anas crecca (Linnaeus, 1758)

		male, breeding female
2017-06-08 Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Suntarsky ulus, vicinity of the village of Suntar 2018-06-06 Irkutsk, Irkut river, Cheryomushki district	© Maxim Afanasiev © Mihail Ivanov

Distribution

In Sibria, breeds evrywhere, north to the subzone of typical tundra, in steppe zone breeds rarely.

Biology

Common breeding migrant, locally numerous. Inhabits largely forested lakes, rivers, streams and marshes on plains and in mountains up to 2000 m on Altai. Shows up early April in southern areas, and mid-April in the northern. Main migration in April and finishes in May. Migrates in separate flocks up to some dozen specimens, often with other ducks. Nest is built on ground under shelter of grass or bushes in shallow hollow lined with dry grass and down. Clutches of 6-9 eggs mid-May – end June. Only female incubates. Juveniles hatch mid-June – mid-July, and begin flying from end July. Repeated broods are common (downy chicks recorded mid-July, and juveniles not yet able to fly at end August – mid-September). While females incubate, males gather in flocks and fly away to moult on lakes. Such moult dispersal observed from mid-July. Autumn migration begins end August, most intensive movements second half September – early October. Some birds hang around up to ice-crust, and single ones can get success to spend winter on ice-free water areas.

References

В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Сибири". Москва-Екатеринбург, Изд-во "Кабинетный ученый", 2014