Teal
Anas crecca
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Britain's smallest duck, the Teal is a common and delightful winter visitor to Marshside. Males are beautifully marked — chestnut head with an iridescent green eye stripe bordered in yellow. They take flight suddenly in tight, fast-wheeling flocks, almost like waders. The whistling call of the male is one of the most evocative sounds of the winter marsh.
At a Glance
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Habitat | Coastal lagoon · Shallow marsh · Reed edge |
| Diet | Seeds, aquatic invertebrates, plant material filtered from shallow water |
| UK population | Around 700,000 wintering birds |
| Sefton Coast | Hundreds at Marshside in winter; small number of breeding pairs |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Marshside RSPB lagoons. Crossens Marsh. Any shallow water with emergent vegetation.
Identification
Very small duck. Males: chestnut head, green eye stripe, grey body, cream-yellow triangle under tail. Females: brown, like small Mallard. Green speculum visible in flight.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Look at the edge of the lagoon where there's shallow water and vegetation. They hide well but take off explosively when disturbed.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Britain's smallest duck?
The Teal is Britain's smallest native duck — about half the size of a Mallard. On the Sefton Coast it is a common winter visitor to Marshside RSPB, where flocks of hundreds can be seen in shallow lagoon margins. The male's high, musical whistle is one of the characteristic sounds of the winter marsh.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.