Bird guideChestnut Teal

Unlike many duck species, it nests in tree hollows, sometimes high above the ground in old eucalypts.

⚠️Not listed
🌿Endemic to Australia
🍃Indigenous: Kalyang, Red Teal, Black Teal, Mountain Teal, Chestnut-Breasted Teal, Tete, Green-Headed Teal, Brown Teal

At a glance

FamilyDucks, Geese, and Waterfowl
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatThe chestnut teal prefers coastal estuaries and wetlands, and is indifferent to salinity.
Best timeReported across most months in Victoria, with no narrow seasonal peak.

Sounds

Sound sample
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Recorded by Greg McLachlan

Range map

Range map

200approx hotspots
445542approx records
8states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.

Species notes

Overview

White wing panels are distinctive in flight compared to purple/green of Pacific Black Duck.

Behavior

Female distinguished from Gray Teal by slightly darker neck/throat.

Regional timing

New South Wales
Peak: July to April113,245 records
Queensland
Peak: June to January29,585 records
Tasmania
Peak: September to May31,165 records
Victoria
Peak: September to May236,991 records
Western Australia
Peak: September to April5,242 records
South Australia
Peak: September to May23,239 records
Northern Territory
Peak: July to October554 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: September to February5,394 records
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