Teal

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Teal
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 241 W: 21 N: 861] (2657)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma EX 500mm f4.5 APO HSM, RAW ISO 1000, Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DG 1.4x
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-20 3:44
Viewed: 338
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A male Common Teal shot at RSPB Elmley Marshes nature reserve.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The Common Teal / Eurasian Teal or simply Teal (Anas crecca) is a common and widespread duck which breeds in the northernmost areas of Europe and Asia. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name. It is the Old World counterpart of the North American Green-winged Teal, Anas carolinensis, with which it is sometimes considered conspecific.

The Common Teal is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

Description
The Common Teal is the smallest dabbling duck at 34-38 cm length with a 53-59 cm wingspan. The breeding male has grey flanks and back, with a yellow rear end and a white-edged green speculum, obvious in flight or at rest. It has a chestnut head with a green eye patch. It is distinguished from drake Green-winged Teal by a horizontal white scapular stripe, no vertical white bar on side of breast, and thin buff lines on its head.
The females are light brown, with plumage much like a female Mallard. They can be distinguished from most ducks on size and shape, and the speculum, although distinguishing them from female Green-winged Teal is difficult.
In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake looks more like the female.

Habits and habitat
This dabbling duck is strongly migratory and winters south to Africa and south Asia. It highly gregarious outside of the breeding season and will form large flocks. In flight, the fast, twisting flocks resemble waders. It is a common inhabitant of sheltered wetlands with some taller vegetation, such as taiga bogs in the breeding season. The Common Teal usually feeds by dabbling for plant food or grazing. It nests on the ground, near water and under cover.
This is a noisy species. The male has a clear whistle, whereas the female has a feeble "quack".

Range
The Common Teal breeds across northern Eurasia and mostly winters well south of its breeding range. However, in the milder climate of westernmost Europe the summer and winter ranges overlap. For example, in the United Kingdom a small summer population breeds, but far greater numbers of Siberian birds arrive in winter.

In winter, there are also high densities in Japan, Taiwan and possibly Mauretania and the Nile Valley. Altogether though, the Common Teal is much less common than its American counterpart (though still very plentiful). It appears to be holding its own fcurrently, with slow decline of maybe 1-2% annually over the last decade not warranting action except for continuing monitoring and possibly more reserves on the wintering grounds even if considered a separate species. The IUCN and BirdLife International classify the red-and-green-headed teals as one species of Least Concern; the latter still applies for both if they are split.
aes_thor, thor68, nglen, Royaldevon, jaycee, Proframe, Luis52 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pekka!
Great picture of this wonderfull bird. Great light of a sunset and colour of water. Nice and sharp. Good work!
cheers
Adrian

what a pretty duck, what a terrific shot! :-) excellent low pov along the waterline with nice reflections and an awesome golden light.
well seen & captured, thor.

Hello Pekka,
I like the green mask. Common teal...I can't remember seeing this duck a lot here.
TFS
Annick

Hi Pekka

Lovely evening colours makes this magnificent bird look even more elegant. Well taken.

Jai

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-04-20 12:31]

Hi Pekka. This is a bird i have yet to get maybe one day. They have some very nice markings which you have captured so well. good detail and warm colours. well done tFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1086 W: 58 N: 2152] (7179)
  • [2008-04-20 12:45]

Hello Pekka,
Beautiful photo in an excellent composition. The low POV and colours are very nice in splendid light. Very good sharpness and details.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Pekka,

This is an usual duck. I don't think I've seen one before!
You have captured the striking pattern on his head and the dappled pattern on his body, very clearly.

I like the reflection and the lovely golden colour on the water.

Many thanks for your kind comments on 'Long John Silver'.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3082 W: 231 N: 5811] (19540)
  • [2008-04-20 13:55]

Hello, Pekka.
The golden light on this scene is just gorgeous.
A beautiful teal you have captured here, with sharp details showing the intricate patterns on its plumage.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-04-20 13:57]

Hi Pekka,

A very pretty picture - I love how the reeds match the Teal. Wonderful earthtone colors, good details, and a nice reflection. Nice shades of blue in the water.

Jane

Hi Pekka,

Wonderful warm light and details.
Very beautiful colors, contrast and reflections.
Pin sharp, excellent composition and great note.
Perfect work. TFS!!!

Best regards, Harry

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3339 W: 144 N: 5643] (16725)
  • [2008-04-21 3:37]

What an unusual looking fellow this duck is.
Good capture Pekka, the colours and patterns stand out really well. I like how the low sun gives the photo quite an orange look - well done
Janice

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 5 N: 2728] (9914)
  • [2008-04-21 19:35]

Hola Pekka.
Bella foto. Hermosos colores del plumaje de este pato. Y el entorno luce de maravilla y combina con el objeto principal. El agua le da valor adicional a la presentacion.
Saludos Pekka.
Luis52.

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