Eurasian teal

Description

The most characteristic trait of this teal is its small size. The males have a nuptial plumage in which the features that stand out are the reddish chestnut colour of the head, which is crossed by a striking green mask with a yellow line bordering it. The females, like the young, are of a brownish colour, with green patches on the wings. 

Behaviour

When they form mating pairs, the females start building the nest, which consists of a small hollow formed by leaves, grass and diverse vegetation. They lay 8-11 smooth light yellow eggs which the female incubates for 21-23 days, after which the chicks will hatch. They leave the nest a few hours later to feed themselves in the company of the mother. 

Interesting facts

They are present over very wide parts of the world as they breed in North America and Eurasia and then spend the summer in the south of these continents and in Africa. It is a species that is quite sensitive to human disturbance and to habitat alteration.