Baikal teal
The Baikal teal is a striking species of duck native to the swampy taiga regions of Siberia. Named after Lake Baikal, this species features colorful males known for their vibrant plumage, which includes a metallic green patch on the head and distinctive white and yellowish-brown facial markings. Females, in contrast, have more subdued brown feathers that serve as camouflage, particularly when nesting with their young. Baikal teals typically measure about 16 inches in length and weigh around one pound, with wingspans reaching up to 2.5 feet.
These ducks are primarily dabblers, feeding on plants, insects, and invertebrates found near shorelines. During migration, they travel in large flocks to their wintering grounds in southern Japan, South Korea, and southeastern China. Notably, they have been sighted in North America as well. Baikal teals nest close to water, laying six to nine eggs and incubating them for roughly a month. With a stable population status, they are not currently considered threatened. Baikal teals are social creatures, often seen gathering in large groups, and are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which vary between males and females.
On this Page
Baikal teal
This duck receives its name from Lake Baikal in Siberia. Russian names for the Baikal teal are gurgler and the bubbling teal because of the male's calls. The male is known for his lovely, multi-colored plumage, which includes bright green patches on his head. Another old name is the spectacled teal due to the markings on the male's face.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Anas
Species: Formosa
The Latin species name of the Baikal teal is formosa, which comes from the Latin word for "beautiful." The male Baikal teal does have attractive plumage of gray on his body with long, pointed, feathers on his shoulders of cream, reddish brown, and black. His breast is brown and his head has a distinct pattern of feathers in white, black, yellowish-brown, and a lovely metallic green. The two yellowish-brown patches on either side of his face and the patch of green on his neck are divided by black and white lines. This pattern makes him look a little like he is wearing eyeglasses, and so he has been called the spectacled teal.
The female, like the females of many other duck species, has brown markings on her duller and lighter-colored feathers. Although her plumage is not as noticeable as the male's, it suits her perfectly. In fact, it is good that she does not have the same bright colors as the male. The dull-colored plumage of the female Baikal teal, as with many other female ducks, serves her beautifully as camouflage when she is with her young among grass and vegetation.
Baikal teals average 16 inches (40 centimeters) long and weigh about one pound (1/2 kilogram). Their wings measure up to 2 1/2 feet (75 centimeters) from tip to tip.
Huge flocks of Baikal teals live on the rivers, ponds, and marshes in Siberia's swampy regions where there are few scattered evergreen trees. These areas are called taiga regions. The ducks most often feed near shore or on land either by day or at night. Like many other ducks, they dabble when they eat. Dabbling means that they scoop their bills just under the water's surface and then strain the water from their bills through special filters called lamellae. The small bits of plants, insects, and invertebrates, or creatures without skeletons, remain behind in their mouths and are swallowed. The ducks also eat snails and a variety of grass, leaves, weeds, and seeds which they find in the water or on shore. Some birds may go farther inland to find acorns or crops in fields.
A male and female teal form a pair when they are in their winter range in southern Japan, South Korea, and southeastern China. There have even been rare sightings of the Baikal teal in North America, including in Alaska and the United States Pacific west coast. They may live on either fresh or saltwater bodies during this time. Late in April or early in May the ducks migrate in large flocks to their breeding grounds. These grounds include the area between the Yenisei and Anadyr Rivers from the northern edge of Lake Baikal north to the southern boundaries of the Arctic tundra. The ducks receive their name from Lake Baikal. They build a nest on the ground near water and hide it in under vegetation. Other nesting habits are unknown, but it is believed that the female lays six to nine eggs and incubates them for about one month.
After mating, the male and female molt, or shed, their feathers all at once, and so they are flightless during this time. The male then grows new plumage which is like the female's normal dull-colored plumage.
The female makes low-pitched quacks, while the male makes deep, clucking "ruk ruk ruk" sounds.
The Baikal teal is called a congregatory animal, since it tends to gather in groups or flocks. The Baikal teal has a healthy population size is is not listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a threatened species.
The life span of the Baikal teal is unknown.
Similar species:
- Northern pintail (Anas acuta)
- Auckland islands teal (Anas aucklandica)
- White-cheeked pintail(Anas bahamensis)
- Cape teal(Anas capensis)
Bibliography
“Baikal Teal.” eBird, ebird.org/species/baitea. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
“Baikal Teal.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/baikal-teal. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.
Martinez, Deniz. “Discover the 15 Most Colorful Wild Ducks and Where You Can See Them.” A-Z Animals, 31 Dec. 2023, a-z-animals.com/articles/discover-the-most-colorful-ducks-and-where-you-can-see-them.