Grey Teal

Scientific Name: Anas gracilis

Population Estimate: 1.0 - 1.1M

Range / Habitat: Found year-round on inland wetlands in New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Field Notes: Slight, graceful dabbling duck. Male and female same coloration: light grey-brown with pale cheeks and neck. Bill blue-grey, eye red. In flight, speculum iridescent dark green with wide white triangle in front. Female Chestnut Teal in Australia has darker check and neck. Male breeding Chestnut Teal different coloration. Less common New Zealand endemic Brown Teal darker overall with white eye ring and no white triangle in front of speculum in flight.

Personal Notes: See at Lake Tutira outside Napier and later at the Miranda Shorebird Center near Auckland. Maori name Tete.