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
0:000:00
Recorded by Greg McLachlan

Range map

Range map

3877visible hotspots
435268visible records
6states
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

Victoria
Peak: August to May243,697 records
New South Wales
Peak: July to April112,168 records
South Australia
Peak: September to May22,955 records
Western Australia
Peak: September to April5,169 records
Tasmania
Peak: September to May30,727 records
Queensland
Peak: June to January29,500 records
Northern Territory
Peak: July to October546 records
Australian Capital Territory
Peak: September to February5,390 records
© BetterBirdingAustralian bird pages, free in the app, with every feature unlocked.Privacy